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How to Make the Most of Virtual College Tours

virtual college tour questions

Sometimes, you may not be able to visit the college you are considering to tour its campus. While many current college students tout the importance of being able to actually step foot onto the campus you might go to, sometimes the circumstances just do not work out.

However, colleges and universities have begun to offer great virtual tour alternatives, that while not exactly the same, can greatly subsidize a campus tour visit.

In fact, I never visited my campus in person until I was actually enrolled in it! So, here are the best ways to make the most of your virtual college tour.

Virtual Tour – 360 degree view

Many universities have invested in robust virtual tour software in the wake of COVID. Some larger universities will be equipped with a self-paced 360 virtual tour software, while smaller universities may have a YouTube video walking you through the campus.

Regardless of the technology being used, the virtual tour option will likely follow the same path that official campus tours would take. You should be able to “visit” all the key landmarks at your prospective university while your virtual tour guide tells you information.

If your university offers a 360 virtual tour, this also means that you will be able to “walk” around in the direction you please to explore on your own. While this is not the same as walking on the campus in person, the ability to explore to your heart’s content is a great feature that can be offered virtually. Use this to your advantage as this is an important aspect in making the most of your tour. 

Because of the nature of a virtual tour, you will not be able to ask questions or likely see more major specific buildings. However, you can use the explore feature to look at your major buildings if possible, and you can get your questions answered in another way.

As you are taking your virtual tour, write down any questions you might have so you can ask them later.

One positive thing that people usually forget with virtual tours is that even if the weather is bad in real life, in the virtual tour, it is always going to be a warm, sunny day!

Beyond the broad tour of the campus, make sure you tour the prospective colleges you are interested in as well! While the overall tour is great to help you learn more general facts and information about the school, if you want to learn about information specific to your prospective major, many schools will also offer college specific tours.

Thus, if you are interested in business, make sure to do the general tour and the business school tour. Do not be afraid to tour several colleges!

Even if you think you are set on a major, it can still help to do a virtual tour of several different colleges because something in the tour may spark your interest.

Because it is virtual, it will not take any additional walking or days to do the tour, so a little extra time is likely going to be well worth it.

Zoom Information Sessions

Typically, paired with a virtual tour or otherwise offered concurrently, universities will offer information sessions over Zoom. Depending on the size of your university and the Zoom sessions offered, you may be put in a panelist setting or have the opportunity to connect with representatives one on one.

Regardless of the setting, you will get more information on the school, and this is where you should ask the questions you wrote down during your virtual tour.

If you have personal questions, this may be better asked during a one on one conversation, but if this is your only session, do not be deterred from asking your question!

I remember during my session, I asked a personal question pertaining to my unique circumstance but I asked it anonymously through the chat function. The host was able to answer my question and give me the exact information I needed.

If possible, I recommend collecting the emails or LinkedIn contacts of the people presenting in the Zoom session. While adults are likely going to be bombarded with questions and may be too busy to help you, current students may be more likely to answer your questions. 

Connect with current students

Maybe you know a family friend that goes to the school you are considering. Or, as I mentioned, you obtained someone’s contact information through an info session.

Regardless, it is important for you to use your resources. It is the combination of these three tips – the virtual tour, Zoom info session, and connecting with current students – that will get you your most holistic outlook on the university you are considering. 

Even if you do not have a family friend or are not able to connect with a current student during an information session, there are still ways to get in touch with a current student. One of the best avenues you can use is LinkedIn.

If you do not already have a LinkedIn, go ahead and make one . You can find current students and even filter by the major you are interested in. Many students will be open to chat and help you find out more information.

Simply reach out to them in a polite and professional manner and ask to set up a coffee chat. Here, you can ask direct and personal questions as well as their opinions on the school.

While an admissions officer or school representative will only talk about the school in a positive manner, prospective students are important to connect with because they will tell you about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If you are struggling to think of some questions to ask them, here are some that you might want to consider. Of course, ask them about the questions that you wrote down during the virtual tour if you have not already.

Other things you might want to think about are questions about social life/Greek life or how helpful the advisors are. You may also consider asking about why they chose their major or what aspects of their college they wish they could change.

Take advantage of the fact that you are having a one on one conversation and make sure to learn from their experiences and advice. In this way, you will get a great outlook on the college or university from the administrator level as well as from a personal level.

Additional tips

Another important thing to look at is the dorm living situation. While a tour of the dorms may be included on the virtual tour, you may not be able to see what a model dorm room looks like.

In order to take a look, you will have to do some extra research. You can get an idea of the kind of amenities your dorm room will have as well as the general sizing of the dorm.

Like the virtual tour, if you go on to your school’s housing website, they will also likely have a 360 virtual tour of the inside of the dorm room. Even if they do not have the 360 virtual tour, they will likely have a robust set of pictures and a list of amenities.

One more tip to get the most information out of a virtual tour of your prospective university is to take yourself on your own virtual tour. Using the Google maps walking feature, you can explore the campus and may even be able to look inside certain buildings.

If you did not know about this feature, simply Google your potential university and drag and place the little orange person in the bottom right corner of the screen wherever you want to look.

In this way, you can “walk” around and get a good look at buildings that might not have been covered in the official virtual tour or have been blocked off by the software.

Another thing you might not have considered is if there are local branch campuses that are near you that you would be able to visit. For example, while Penn State ’s main campus is located in the middle of Pennsylvania, they have 20 branch campuses located throughout the state.

If you may not be able to visit the main campus, see if your school has branch campuses and tour one of those! While it is not the same as the main campus, university culture usually spans across locations and you will still be able to get a good gist of the culture.

Generating a view on a college culture without visiting the campus can be difficult but is one of the most important things you pick up on when you tour a campus in person.

In lieu of this, you can still get an idea of the college culture through social media. In order to see how students are, try finding “a day in the life of a student at XYZ university.”

While these types of videos are common on TikTok , you can also find more long-form videos on YouTube. You can get a much more personalized view of a student’s life and they are usually more unfiltered than any tour guide you may talk to.

These unsolicited, self-posted media videos about the school are probably some of the most authentic and realistic reviews of the school. Another important social media is of course the school’s official accounts such as their Instagram or even TikTok.

While this is an official view of the school, it can still provide insight to see what they choose to showcase about themselves.

Lastly, look at Reddit. Students at your school have likely made an un-official Reddit associated with the school in which they ask questions, debate, or complain about topics. Take a look through here and you will quickly see what people are struggling with, whether they are major classes, advisors, or the school system.

Beyond Reddit, you can also look at other unofficial affiliated school social media. Many schools have a Barstool account that shows what students are up to.

For a glimpse into the social lives of the students at your school, this is a helpful resource. However, keep all these unofficial resources in mind with a grain of salt, as these are someone else’s opinions, and only a small representation of what goes on at the school.

While a virtual tour cannot be the same as an in person tour, they can still be a great alternative to getting the information you need while staying in the comfort of your home.

Depending on how you do your research, you may actually learn more while “touring” virtually. Don’t be deterred by the fact that you cannot visit the campus in person.

As I mentioned, I never visited my college (Penn State) in person before I enrolled and I love it and am so happy I made the choice I did. Use your resources and make sure to ask lots of questions!

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Author: Sophia

Sophia is a current college freshman at Pennsylvania State University with plans to major in marketing. When she's not studying or in the gym, you can find Sophia watching her favorite Youtube channels or streamers. In the future, she hopes to travel the world while developing her marketing skills and building her network.

More Articles By Niche

At Niche, we know a college is more than its stats or buildings. We also know it can be hard to figure out a college’s vibe or how students feel about it from its website alone. Using our comprehensive college profiles and social media accounts, you can get a sense of what life at a college is really like. Here are three simple ways to do that.

In case you haven’t heard yet, Niche has an amazing new opportunity for high school seniors. Niche Direct Admissions is a program that allows participating colleges to accept students and offer scholarships based on their Niche Profile. That’s right — no application needed.

Keeping a list of colleges you’re interested in (or a “college list”) is essential to the search and application process. There are so many options that it’s impossible to remember every little thing about every single school you may want to apply to. And while there are many ways you can keep a college list, it makes the most sense to use Niche. 

virtual college tour questions

What Questions Should You Ask when on a Virtual College Tour?

virtual college tour questions

Not only are virtual campus tours a great way to see the campus and get a feel for the culture, but they’re also a great way to meet someone from the school, usually an admissions officer, a student, or an alumnus, and pick their brain. A virtual campus tour could be your one and only chance to speak to someone who will be living the life you’re looking at in a year or two, so make the most of it! So, what are the best questions to ask on virtual college tours?

1.   What is your usual daily schedule like?

2.   What is the average size of introductory courses and courses in your major? (Keep in mind that majors often have different size classes when you get to upper-level courses, but this could be a good benchmark)

3.   Ask about your particular hobbies. What’s the culture for x on campus?

4.   Why did you choose this school?

5.   How accessible are professors and administrators to students?

6.   What percentage of your courses are taught by professors vs. TAs?

7.   How easy is it to study abroad?

8.   What is the connection like with alumni network? Some virtual campus tours have an alumni ambassador present. Get to know their experience with a particular school or major.

9.   How is the food? Are there options?

10.  How long is a student required to live on campus? How difficult is it to get on-campus housing as an upper-classman?

11.  What are the best study spots on campus and why?

12.  How much time do you spend on classwork and how much on extracurriculars and socialization?

13.  How big are sports on campus?

14.  How diverse is the student body? The faculty?

15.  How safe do you feel on campus and surrounding areas?

16.  How easy is it to find and balance an on-campus job?

17.  What is the course-selection process like?

18.  How often are you fighting for spots in a class?

19.  How many options are there for courses within your major?

20.  How difficult is it to take classes outside of your major?

21.  How far are residences from classes on average?

22.  What are the best restaurants around campus, how far are they, and how late are they open (that last one is key)?

23.  How late are facilities like cafeterias, libraries, gyms, and study centers open?

24.  What are the places in the city/ town around campus that you HAVE to see?

25.  What are some quintessential parts of the culture on your campus? What are some hallmark experiences of attending that school?

26.  What are your favorite things about the school?

27.  What do you not like?

Now you’re all ready to go on your Campus 360 tour to explore your favorite schools from the comfort of your home! Keep in mind that the virtual tour guide has a job to do, so don’t pester them; pick a few questions that are most important to you, (see if you can find the information on the internet first), and if they don’t already cover them in the tour, ask! That’s what they’re there for.  And be sure to introduce yourself! You never know, they could end up being your TA next year!

virtual college tour questions

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Articles & Advice > Campus Visits > Blog

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10 Questions to Ask to Get the Most Out of a Virtual College Tour

There’s nothing wrong with opting for virtual tours over in-person ones to save money. But make sure you’re asking these questions during your online visits!

by Callie McGill Content Marketer, ValuePenguin.com

Last Updated: Aug 9, 2023

Originally Posted: Apr 21, 2022

You’ve heard about saving for college, but what about saving for college tours? According to IST Campus Tours, an independent student travel tour service, families with college-bound students can spend up to $3,500 just for a campus visit . With the cost of air travel, meals, and accommodations adding up, virtual tours are a good option for those who can’t swing in-person visits. However, since you won’t be able to wander around campus or ask random students about their experiences, preparing creative and nuanced questions is essential.

If you’re unable to visit a prospective college but have the opportunity to speak with a representative over video chat, avoid asking questions that you can easily find the answers to online. For example, asking “How many students go here?” can easily be found in the college’s pamphlets and guidebooks. Instead, try these questions to get a deeper understanding of whether the campus is a good fit for you.

1. What student facilities does the school offer and what’s their condition?

Chances are you’ve seen photos, curated videos, and virtual tours of the most attractive parts of the colleges and universities that interest you, like new state-of-the-art athletic fields. This question goes a step further by asking for a rundown of the academic and student life facilities your tuition will pay for: the student gym, library, career center, computer labs, and more—and how they’re maintained, which gives you an idea of the school’s priorities.

2. What types of student organizations are popular?

Whether you’re interested in intramural sports, academic organizations, or social groups, knowing which organizations and clubs that students flock to can help you make new connections and develop a fulfilling life on campus. If you’re curious about participating in a fraternity or sorority, for instance, this question can help you understand how prominent these organizations are at a school. If a college doesn’t offer a certain extracurricular you’re interested in or doesn’t allow students to create their own groups, you might want to consider ones that do.

Related: College Organizations and Activities Worth Getting Excited Over

3. Are classes taught by professors or teaching assistants?

Although you’ll receive credit for successfully completing a course regardless of whether a professor or a TA leads the curriculum, you may prefer one over the other. For example, if you decide to attend a particular school because of its stellar Creative Writing program and it just hired a best-selling author to teach classes, you’ll want to make sure you don’t end up in a class taught by a TA instead.

4. How accessible are the school’s faculty and staff?

As a college student, you’re bound to need additional help outside of the classroom. You might have follow-up questions after a lecture or need guidance on paying tuition, especially if you’ve taken on a lot of debt to pay for school. Knowing when and where staff will be available can help you understand whether getting the help and resources you need is straightforward or a pain to schedule.

Related: How to Find a Great College With Amazing Professors

5. What’s the on-campus freshman experience like?

No matter where you enroll, there will be a notable transition from high school to college life. Asking about what life on campus is like for first-year students can point you toward unknown resources, school-sponsored events, and special activities exclusively for entering freshmen. These are all great ways to make friends in college, which will also make the transition easier.

6. What’s the surrounding community like?

Although you can choose to spend your time exclusively on campus during the academic year, most students venture beyond school boundaries at some point. Learn about the overall community vibe and the different activities students partake in off campus. Is the school within a reasonable walking distance to a public beach? Is the area an established college town with affordable restaurants, cafés, and shops? And even better, do these places offer student discounts? 

Related: Spotlight on 3 Great College Cities on the East Coast

7. Does the school offer valuable health services?

Aside from maintaining good academic standing, you’ll need to ensure you stay healthy at any college. Health-related costs can put a dent in your budget, but many campuses have an on-site health services office. Ask about the type of services students can access (e.g., mental health counseling, annual physical examinations, etc.). You’ll also want to know about the process required to get support—from making an appointment to what you can expect the day of and the quality of follow-up communication.

8. What’s the class registration experience like?

Registering for classes is a critical part of the college experience. However, securing your ideal class schedule isn’t always guaranteed, particularly if you work part-time and have a less flexible schedule. This process can also be challenging if you’re eager to get into a high-demand class, register with a high-rated professor, or if a school simply doesn’t offer enough seats for a required class. Digging into current students’ class registration experiences—from logistics to competitiveness—can help you understand how likely you are to get the academic experience you want.

Related: 3 Simple Steps to Become a Course Registration Master

9. What on-campus safety measures are in place?

Aside from ensuring the college checks out academically and socially, you’ll want to know about on-campus safety practices and how school administrators respond to problems. For example, does campus police offer an after-hours escort service? This could offer peace of mind if you pull late study hours at the library and would like a guard to walk you to your dorm. Similarly, you can learn about how frequently patrols are conducted and where 911 call boxes are located. Beyond safety measures, how do staff respond to simple or serious issues? Asking this question will help you examine current students’ concerns, from campus sexual assault allegations to on-campus student wage protests . The answers you receive will shed light on how a college’s faculty and staff address these issues and whether students’ voices are heard in a meaningful way.

10.  What’s something unexpected you had to adjust to here?

This type of open-ended question gives the responder a chance to share their personal experiences with the college. The answers may identify dealbreakers you didn’t know you had, like no free campus transportation, or offer insight into clubs or activities that make the school even more appealing. Real stories about life at a school can beat any number on a page when it comes to making your final college decision.

Related: How Can I Make the Transition to College Easier?

You can get just as much out of virtual college tours as you can visiting in person, but only if you ask the right questions. Engage in every online event and take advantage of every resource possible to really get to know your colleges of interest. You’ll make your final decision with confidence knowing that you found a great school to attend.

Whether you’re visiting in person or online, check out all Our Best Advice for College Tours and Campus Visits to be fully prepared for either experience.

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About Callie McGill

Callie McGill is a Content Marketer for ValuePenguin.com .

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virtual college tour questions

Our focused blog section talks about immersive technology developments, industry applications of simulation and much more.

A guide to virtual college tours: exploring campuses from anywhere.

Virtual College Tours

Picking the right college is one of the most significant decisions you'll make as you prepare to take the next step in your educational journey after completing high school. 

In the past, campus tours provided an invaluable firsthand experience, allowing prospective students to soak in the atmosphere and culture of each institution. However, with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and other constraints, traditional campus tours have been limited. 

Thankfully, the rise of virtual college tours, including Virtual Reality campus tours, has ushered in a new era of college exploration, opening up a world of possibilities for students from all corners of the globe.

Virtual college tours present a unique opportunity for exploration, as they enable students to delve into many campuses from the comfort of their own homes. With a simple click, you can stroll through historic halls, witness vibrant campus life, and even experience academic facilities as if you were physically present. 

These tours provide a rich array of content, including 360-degree videos, interactive maps, and live guides who offer valuable insights into college life.

In this guide, we will delve into the transformative power of virtual college tours, which have evolved into immersive and interactive experiences, offering a wealth of benefits for prospective students. So, Let’s begin.

What are Virtual College Tours?

Virtual college tours are not just a mere substitute for physical visits. Instead, they offer much more than just a glimpse of the campus!

Through online content and virtual experiences, you can immerse yourself in the college's culture, engage with tour guides, and connect with current students or alumni.

What are the benefits of a Virtual Campus Tour?

While the absence of in-person visits may seem disappointing, it's essential to recognize the numerous benefits that virtual tours bring to the table. Some of them are-

1. Accessibility

Imagine this! You don't have to travel far or worry about time constraints for exploring campuses. 

With virtual tours, you can do it from anywhere in the world! 

Virtual tours allow students to explore campuses from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for travel and reducing associated costs and time constraints. This level of accessibility is particularly advantageous for international or out-of-state students who may find it challenging to visit colleges in person due to distance, financial limitations, or visa restrictions. 

Not only this, but the virtual tours also break down geographical barriers, offering a unique opportunity for prospective students to gain insights into various colleges without leaving their homes. This convenience empowers students to explore a broader range of institutions, facilitating a more informed decision-making process. 

Moreover, virtual tours ensure inclusivity by catering to individuals with physical disabilities or mobility limitations, providing them with equal access for exploring campuses and making educational choices.

Also Read, The Future of Healthcare: Transforming the Patient Experience with Immersive Technologies

2. Cost-Effective

Speaking of costs, virtual tours are a fantastic money-saving option.

Virtual college campus tours save students and their families the expenses related to travel, accommodation, and other costs associated with in-person campus visits. 

This cost-effectiveness enables students to explore multiple colleges without breaking the bank. It is particularly advantageous for international or out-of-state students who might otherwise face substantial financial burdens to visit colleges in person. 

Additionally, the reduced costs associated with virtual tours empower students to allocate their resources more efficiently, focusing on other essential aspects of their college application process. 

Overall, being cost-effective, virtual college tours democratize the college exploration process, ensuring that students from all backgrounds can make informed decisions about their future without financial constraints.

3. Time Efficiency

Unlike traditional visits, where you need to plan everything and take time off, virtual tours can fit seamlessly into your busy schedule. 

You can access them at any time, pause, rewind, and revisit specific sections. 

With such options, virtual tours enable a more in-depth examination of campus facilities, academic programs, and extracurricular activities.

Additionally, virtual tours save students and their families the time spent on travel, accommodation arrangements, and navigating unfamiliar locations, freeing them to focus on discovering the colleges that align best with their academic and personal goals.

4. Comprehensive Insights

Virtual tours offer a treasure trove of information!

Through various resources like video tours, image galleries, 360-degree views, and in-depth written content, students gain access to a wealth of information about campus facilities, academic programs, extracurricular activities, immersive technology in college , and campus culture. 

This comprehensive approach enables prospective students to explore various aspects of the college from the comfort of their homes, ensuring that no essential details are missed.

By immersing themselves in these rich resources, students can assess whether the college aligns with their academic and personal preferences. They can gauge the campus environment, evaluate available resources, and understand the overall atmosphere, allowing for a more informed decision-making process.

Additionally, this level of information empowers students to make thoughtful comparisons between different colleges, ultimately leading to a more confident and suitable college choice. With virtual college tours providing a holistic view, students can efficiently explore multiple institutions and find the perfect fit for their higher education journey.

Also Read: 5 Mind-Blowing VR Educational Apps to Enhance Learning Through Immersion

5. Flexibility and Revisits

Flexibility is key here.

Students can take virtual tours multiple times, allowing them to revisit specific areas of interest or refresh their memory about different aspects of the college. The flexibility to revisit virtual tours multiple times empowers students to delve deeper into specific areas of interest and gain a comprehensive understanding of the institution. 

Whether it's revisiting campus facilities, academic programs, or campus culture, the ability to pause, rewind, and replay specific sections enhances the overall college exploration experience. 

6. Inclusive Experience

And guess what? Virtual tours are inclusive too!

Designed with accessibility in mind, VR tours accommodate students with physical disabilities or mobility limitations, ensuring they can fully participate in the college exploration process.

Through the virtual reality world , students can virtually navigate campuses, experience campus life, and access vital information regardless of their physical location or abilities.

The inclusive nature of VR tours eliminates geographical constraints, allowing international or remote students to explore colleges without the need for costly and time-consuming travel. Additionally, students with mobility challenges can explore campuses without facing physical obstacles, fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.

By providing a platform that caters to diverse needs, VR tours democratize the college search, making it an equitable experience for all. Students with disabilities can engage with colleges on equal footing, making informed decisions about their future education, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and diverse higher education landscape.

7. Real-Time Interaction

Real-Time Interaction

The interactive nature of VR fosters a sense of connection with the college community, making the exploration more meaningful and impactful. Students can participate in Q&A sessions, receive authentic testimonials, and even attend virtual events, mirroring the experience of an on-campus visit. This level of engagement enables students to make more informed decisions about their college choices.

Real-time interaction in VR not only overcomes geographical barriers but also creates a sense of presence and belonging, empowering students to envision themselves as part of the college community. As a result, virtual college tours become a powerful and beneficial tool for prospective students to make confident and well-informed decisions about their educational journey.

Also Read:   The Power of Virtual Reality in Education Technology

8. Pandemic Adaptability

VR provides an essential alternative during times of crises when in-person visits are unsafe or unfeasible. As the world faced the challenges of the pandemic, virtual tours became a lifeline for students seeking to explore colleges without jeopardizing their health and safety.

Virtual college tours in VR not only offer a valuable solution during crises but also extend accessibility to a broader audience, transforming the college search experience into a convenient, inclusive, and pandemic-resilient process.

But what are the essential questions that you need to keep in mind when taking a virtual college tour?

Questions to Ask on a Virtual College Tour

When embarking on virtual college tours, it's crucial to keep some essential questions in mind and ask during the exploration process. These questions will help you gather valuable information and insights about each college, ensuring that you make an informed decision about your higher education journey. 

Here are some key questions to consider:

1. What academic programs are offered?

Explore the college's website and virtual tour materials to learn about the range of academic programs available. You can look for specific majors, minors, and concentrations that align with your interests and career goals.

2. How is the campus culture?

Discover the college's values, traditions, and overall campus atmosphere. You should consider whether it fosters an environment where you see yourself thriving academically and socially.

3. What are the campus facilities like?

Pay attention to virtual tours that showcase academic buildings, libraries, laboratories, recreational centers, and student housing. Assess whether the facilities meet your expectations and needs.

4. How is the campus community?

Seek information about the student body size, diversity, and student-to-faculty ratio. Understanding the campus community can help you determine if you'll find a sense of belonging and support during your college years.

5. What resources are available for students?

Inquire about academic support services, career counseling, mental health resources, and extracurricular opportunities. A robust support system can contribute significantly to your success and well-being as a student.

6. What is the college's approach to learning? 

Ask about the teaching methods, class sizes, and opportunities for research or internships. Understanding the learning environment can help you assess how well the college aligns with your preferred learning style. If they have an approach to experiential learning in college , it’s a plus point.

7. How is campus safety and security?

virtual-campus-safety-and-security

8. Can you connect with current students or alumni?

Many virtual tours offer opportunities to engage with current students or alumni through virtual events or Q&A sessions. Interacting with them can provide valuable insights into the college experience and campus life.

9. What financial aid and scholarship options are available? 

Inquire about the college's financial aid packages, scholarship opportunities, and work-study programs. Understanding the cost and available financial support will impact your decision-making process.

10. What are the internship and job placement rates? 

If available, inquire about the college's track record in helping students secure internships and job opportunities after graduation. Understanding the college's commitment to your future career can be essential.

Remember to keep an open mind and explore beyond the tour materials!

Engage with current students, ask questions, and seek out experiential learning opportunities. With careful research, active participation, and reflection, you can make the most of virtual college tours and find the perfect college that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

But, how to make the best of your Virtual College Tour? Let’s find out!

Also Read: Why Haptic Feedback is Crucial for VR Education?

How to make the most of your Virtual College Tour?

So, you're all set to take on the virtual college tour journey?

Awesome! Let's make sure you get the most out of this exciting adventure. Here are some nifty tips to guide you along the way:

Plan It Out: Before you dive into the virtual tours, whip up a little plan. Jot down the colleges you're itching to explore and the specific things you want to know more about. This nifty plan will keep you on track during your virtual college exploration.

Scribble Your Thoughts: As you hop from one virtual tour to another, don't forget to take notes! 

Scribble down your first impressions, any questions popping into your head, and the coolest stuff that stands out about each college. These notes will be your best pals when it's decision-making time.

Join the Virtual Party: Colleges love throwing virtual events for future students, like webinars, Q&A sessions, and campus tours guided by real-life students or admissions officers. These events are gold mines for real-time answers and getting a taste of the college community vibe.

Chat Up Current Students and Alumni: If the virtual tour offers a chance to connect with current students or alumni, don't miss out! Talking to these seasoned college pros gives you the inside scoop that goes beyond official materials.

VR Classroom Adventure: Feeling adventurous? 

Some virtual college tours offer VR classroom experiences ! You can virtually sit in on a lecture or join an educational activity. It's like teleporting into the college learning scene and checking if it matches your style.

Dive into Experiential Learning: Seek out the college's approach to experiential learning. Internships, research opportunities, and study abroad programs can be game-changers. Virtual tours often highlight these gems, giving you a glimpse of hands-on learning possibilities.

Share with Your Team: Don't be a lone ranger: Share your virtual college tour experiences and insights with your support network—your parents, teachers, or mentors. Their wisdom and advice can be total lifesavers when it comes to making that big college decision.

Go Beyond the Tour: Virtual tours are just one slice of the college exploration pie. Venture into the world of reviews, chat with college counselors, and get in on online forums where other future collegians are sharing their thoughts.

Virtual-College-Tour

Get that Schedule going: Flexibility is key with VR campus tours. Create a schedule that lets you explore multiple colleges without losing your cool. Set aside specific times for each tour and stick to your plan like a champ.

To wrap it up, virtual college tours have opened up a whole new world for students like you to explore potential colleges. From campus facilities to real-time college life connections, these tours are full of valuable insights. 

So, take that digital leap and embrace the endless opportunities in the world of virtual education. 

Happy virtual touring! 

The perfect college match is just a click away!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why college tours are important.

Virtual college tours present a unique opportunity for exploration, as they enable students to delve into many campuses from the comfort of their own homes.

How to make the most of your virtual college tour?

Plan it out, scribble your thoughts, join the virtual party, Chat up current students and alumni to make the most of your virtual college campus tour.

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How to Make the Most of Virtual College Tours

Virtual college tours can be a useful tool for weighing options or previewing a campus.

Virtual College Tour Options

Selective focus shot of teenage girl standing in her room, with outstretched arms, gesturing as if she is touching something in a game she is playing with a virtual reality stimulator.

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Virtual reality is one way colleges offer students a glimpse of what to expect when they arrive on campus.

Virtual campus tours, which many schools implemented initially as a way to keep up with the technological times, proved a necessity once the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the normal flow of the college-seeking process.

Now, college admissions and marketing professionals say virtual campus tours are a vital component of the college search. Using 360-degree video and virtual reality, colleges are able to welcome students to campus from hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

"I think virtual tours can be a great pre-screen or preview for students who have maybe never seen campus," says Kristi Lafree, director of enrollment marketing at Butler University in Indiana, which offers a 360-degree video tour alongside supplemental videos. "They maybe want to get a gut check. They want to make sure that if they do come visit that it will be worth it.”

Hundreds of U.S. colleges now provide prospective students with web-based virtual tours, complete with interactive photos and videos designed to be compatible across all devices. Some schools are even using virtual reality, though VR headsets are required for those experiences.

University officials say they hope virtual tours give students a sense of what college life at the school looks like, from the architecture to the activities. Students can dive into exploring buildings and parts of the campus that might not be covered as deeply on a standard in-person campus tour, says Joffery Gaymon, vice president for enrollment management at Auburn University in Alabama, which has a 360-degree virtual tour on its website as well as a video of a student-led tour.

Through a virtual tour, students can hop from the business building to the student union, or from athletic facilities to residence halls. A general in-person tour might not include a visit to the student newspaper building, but an aspiring journalism major may be able to tour it online.

Virtual tours have become a critical tool for attracting international students who might not be able to visit the campus in person, Gaymon says. Auburn has about 2,500 international students, visiting scholars and employees from 100 different countries each year, according to the school.

“It’s a way for them to dive a little deeper and to have a greater sense of familiarity with the university while they’re exploring options,” she says.

The University of California—Berkeley also offers 360-degree virtual tours for prospective students. Previously, the school was posting YouTube videos and virtual question-and-answer sessions, but it has since moved to a platform called YouVisit, which is used by about 700 schools across the country. Virtual tours proved to be a game changer for admissions, says La Dawn Duvall, executive director of visitor and parent services at Berkeley.

Students visiting Berkeley can start in the center of campus with a virtual tour guide providing information about the school while they explore at their own pace. In the last year, Duvall says more than 22,000 unique visitors have taken a general virtual tour of the school with about 3,000 more touring specific locations around campus that are available on YouVisit, including residence halls and academic buildings.

Auburn averages nearly 30,000 virtual visitors, including students living in India, China, Canada and Brazil, and about 25,000 in-person visitors per school year, Gaymon says.

These numbers suggest how important virtual tours have become for schools across the board, Duvall says. In a matter of minutes, students and families can visit a school in California, then zip to one on the East Coast, saving hours in the car or thousands in airfare and hotel bills, which may allow families to plan other visits .

Lafree says she expects these trends to continue, even as in-person visits resume.

“The demand for that virtual admission visit has really hardly decreased at all, so there’s no going back to pre-COVID for college admissions,” she says.

Well-produced virtual college tours also offer pizzazz that experts say prospective students may not see in other marketing materials. For schools that use VR, it provides an immersive experience; users have the sense that they're in that environment.

Prospective college athletes don’t have to visit an actual campus to get a good idea of what the school and its athletic facilities look like, says Zvi Goffer, a co-founder of CampusVR, the platform a number of universities and college athletic departments use for VR tours. This has been especially beneficial for schools and athletes as National Collegiate Athletic Conference transfers have become more prevalent, since it allows athletes to take an unofficial visit of a school without having to leave their living room, he says.

“This is going to become the norm,” Goffer says. “Visualization, as much as some people want to fight that trend, there’s just no substitute for it.”

But universities are also aware that prospective students are craving authenticity, even through virtual experiences and in social media, says Alexa Heinrich, social media manager for St. Petersburg College in Florida.

Lafree says high school students are cognizant that virtual tours and other school-produced content are intended to be marketing tools, so they're also looking at a school's TikTok, Instagram and YouTube pages to find first-person, user-generated content from other students.

Many students have begun to use social media apps the same way they might use a search engine, Heinrich says, and experts say visiting social media channels is a good way for students to make the most of vetting a school virtually. With this in mind, Heinrich says some schools have started to do “student takeovers” on their social media pages, where students show what a typical day is like on campus for an average student.

Potential students are craving something "that feels a little less robotic," she says.

“Social media plays a huge part in showing what student life and campus life is going to be like for them,” Heinrich says. “We can put out emails and tell you about the affordability of our college, but social media is going to do its best work when we’re showing students enjoying their experience at our college.”

Prospective students are applying to more schools, according to a March 2022 Common Application report , which showed the number of submitted applications rose by 21.3% between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022. (That includes data from 853 member schools.) With shortlists now longer than ever, students can use virtual tours to weigh options.

Campus officials advise prospective students to use the virtual tour as a jumping-off point and then to weigh academic programs, admissions requirements and other factors that will shape student experiences at the school. If students have interest in a specific program or activity, they should follow up directly with the school to gather more information.

“I would recommend taking their time and not just using just the tour, but using the larger campus website, the websites of your department or academic area of interest – supplementing those together,” Duvall says. “Take information from all of those places, because there’s not one that’s going to give you everything you need to represent the experience."

While college officials praise virtual tours as an option, they also encourage students to visit campus if possible. Gaymon says the function of a virtual college tour is to get a look at campus life. Other questions are best reserved for the admissions office.

“The virtual tour does not replace the traditional visit,” she says. “For us, it truly enhances it.”

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An Updated Guide to Virtual College Tours

Where to start.

Without the option to visit colleges in-person, virtual tours and online content can provide a bridge and help you gain a sense of a school from the comfort of your home. While a virtual visit may not be what you hoped for, adjusting your mindset and remaining open and curious can go a long way toward making the process fun and informative. 

Even before Covid-19, many schools created virtual tours as a way to engage international and out-of-state students. School to school, the virtual offerings vary widely – some colleges have entire real-time tours posted on Youtube and 360-degree virtual tours , while others have short videos paired with image galleries and written content. 

Because navigating university websites can be frustrating, we suggest that if you know what school you want to start with, skip straight to a quick “[College Name] Virtual Tour” Google search.

You can also browse colleges that offer tours on websites, such as YouVisit , CampusTours , and CampusReel . (On CampusReel, students upload videos, tours of dorms, and more to share, but students or parents must register to join.)

Prepare to be a little overwhelmed

Virtual tours offer a flood of information in the form of hundreds of videos, articles, images, and aerial shots of sunny campus quads. There is a lot of information spread across sprawling pages. 

We recommend spacing out your virtual tours the same way you would in-person tours to give yourself time and space to judge each school on its own merits and to avoid missing out on key details because of fatigue. 

One of the surprising benefits of the virtual tour? It’s okay to stop! Give a virtual tour an honest try – but one of the advantages of this type of engagement is that you don’t have to stick it out to the end if you can tell early on that the school is not a good fit for you. 

Taking notes for research 

Just like for a “ real ” tour, you should keep a notebook handy to jot down details that stick out to you or any resources that pique your interest.

Unlike a real tour, don’t forget you can hit the pause button, go back to hear a detail again, skip over general descriptions of majors or programs that don’t apply to you, and make browser bookmarks of anything that excites you. 

Hopefully, you start every virtual tour with an open mind, but it’s still a good idea to start with a sense of what you hope to gain. Keep a running list of any specific degrees, programs, or opportunities mentioned by the tour guides that interest you so you can follow up with research.

It’s also a good idea to find out if the school you are touring will require you to write a Why College Essay should you decide to apply – if so, taking detailed notes now could help you write Why College Essays in the future.

Before the tour starts, create a list of headings in your notebook. The headings may include the names of majors you’re interested in exploring, a heading for campus life, another heading for school values, and a heading for special resources and opportunities. 

Lastly, leave a big space under the heading of RESEARCH where you can note anything you want to find out more about later. 

Questions to consider for further research:

  • What special resources, like honors programs, are highlighted in the tour? 
  • What do they say about research and undergraduate involvement? 
  • Do they discuss internships or study abroad? 
  • What students have access to resources like makerspaces and special collections? 
  • What have alumni done with this major or degree program?
  • What are the mentorship opportunities? What professors would you be excited to learn from and work with?
  • How easy is it to study across disciplines?
  • What career resources, student support services, and advising does the school offer?

Navigating buildings and tour stops  

In the world of virtual tours, just as in real-world tours, “stops” at specific locations or buildings on campus are what provide the tour guide the opportunity to discuss majors, programs, and resources. 

Some colleges are great about organizing tours by the majors and programs themselves, but for other schools, you have to look up what building houses your particular majors of interest, then navigate to that building/tour stop to hear about the majors and programs within it.

Again, enjoy the process of exploring and stay curious, but also feel free to skip any buildings/tour stops that have nothing to do with what draws you to that particular campus. 

Pay attention to the details

Apart from the descriptions of parts of campus, what do you get to learn about your tour guides in the virtual tours? 

Most schools will require guides to introduce themselves by sharing their names, where they are from, and their majors. Listen carefully: do any of the guides have surprising major combinations, like Chinese and art history, or math and sociology? Do the students mention they take part in any special degree or Honors programs within the college? 

These details can offer clues about aspects of the school that the school wants to highlight, like how easy it is to pursue interdisciplinary study.

Listen for values

To learn more about a school’s values, listen to the aspects of the curriculum and campus that the videos and tour guides emphasize. Is there a lot of talk about working in teams or groups, a focus on a diverse student body, or an emphasis on career resources? 

If a certain value is what draws you to a particular school, seek out specific examples of how the school engages with that value beyond its marketing materials. If service is important to you, for example, then do some research: how does the college actually demonstrate its commitment to service? Research the types of service opportunities offered and look to see whether the school integrates service initiatives into its academic offerings.   

Go beyond the virtual tour

It is possible to have a more authentic virtual experience of a college culture beyond the typical YouVisit 360 degree tours (though these can be pretty cool if you use a virtual reality headset!). 

Some colleges are finding creative ways to give you a glimpse of their campus. Villanova’s aerial campus tour or the current student blog posts under “Wish you were here” at William and Mary present an interesting new take on virtual tours. 

You can even take advantage of a 24-hour live stream through a campus webcam lik e Arizona State University if you felt the urge to check-in on your dream college at any time of the day or  night. 

YouTube also offers a multitude of options – but be sure to take any unofficial content or student reviews on YouTube with an extra grain of salt. You can also check out the college’s Campus Events Calendar, its Admissions Blog, or explore the campus and surrounding area with Google Maps.

Finally, we recommend that after you view specific tours on university websites, you have a little fun watching informal tours on youtube like The Campus Crawl by Hafu (he has “Campus Crawls” for such schools at Stanford, University of Washington, NYU, UCLA, Berkeley, MIT and Harvard).

Connect with people when you can

Just because you can’t visit in person doesn’t mean there aren’t people at that school who would be willing to connect with you.

Don’t forget that in addition to live tours and webcams, some campuses are encouraging prospective students to attend virtual information sessions and events. Tulane offers both of these and the opportunity to set up a virtual interview with an admissions officer. 

Some schools are offering online chats with admissions officers and virtual Zoom information sessions. Certain schools are even offering the opportunity to sit in on class lectures! 

If you have a specific question about an academic course, consider emailing the professor who teaches it. Or, if you’re excited about a major or program, reach out to the department chair or advisor. Make sure to ask thoughtful questions – questions that can’t be answered with a simple Google search! – and allow extra time for a response during this still-hectic period of adjustment for everyone. If you don’t hear back after a week or so, you can send a polite follow-up note. 

Reach out to your family and friends – could you get connected with any alumni who could provide valuable insights into the school? LinkedIn and alumni networks can also be useful tools for creating connections.

If you find an alum willing to chat, utilize him or her as a resource! Ask any questions you may have about how accessible their professors are, how they joined and engaged in the campus community, and whether they have school-specific tips or insights they wish they’d known while they were applying. 

A final thought

This is your process, so focus on finding ways to engage that keep you interested. Consider looking up the work of professors and alumni. Search for lectures that are available online. Read the school’s Twitter feed. Schedule a Zoom meeting to do a virtual tour with your friends who are also excited about that school – and then compare and share notes! 

Virtual tours offer a taste of what a college has to offer, but just like in-person tours, ultimately what you gain – the depth and range of insights you glean – is up to you. 

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virtual college tour questions

A Guide to Virtual College Tours

Padya Paramita

June 17, 2020

virtual college tour questions

The college visit road trip: a longtime rite of passage where rising sophomores and juniors pile in the car with their parents  and visit prospective college campuses. This year, with the outbreak of COVID-19, that tradition is now in jeopardy. So how do future college students  get a feel for college campuses, and know where to apply? The answer is virtual college tours , which help you understand the campus  culture while maintaining social distancing standards. 

Virtual college tours help you decide which universities you want to apply to when it’s time. They also allow you to eliminate schools which might not be as good of a fit. To guide you through the journey, we’ve  provided more information on where to find campus e-visits,, and how to make the most of your online tour.

Why Are Virtual College Tours Important?

It’s crucial to attend an online tour because deciding where you’ll spend the next four years is a big deal. To make sure you don’t make a rash decision and apply to a college that won’t support your interests and goals, you need to get a sense of a campus’ setting, its resources, faculty, major offerings and more. Through a virtual visit, you can not only see the different parts of campus and its academic and recreational facilities, you can also learn from a virtual tour guide — usually a current student — about what makes each of the resources unique, and why their school might be the one for you.

Virtual college tours are not new to COVID-19. Students who are unable to travel due to distance or financial constraints have long used virtual college tours to get a sense of what campuses offer. Now, with the Coronavirus putting a halt to travel as well as campus visits, more and more students are turning to sites that allow them to e-visit so that they can get a sense of what a school provides. 

Websites That Offer Virtual College Tours

If you’ve decided that you do want to attend virtual college tours but you aren’t familiar with how to get started with attending a campus visit, don’t panic. You don’t have to contact every single school’s admissions office and ask them how to arrange for one. There are several websites that allow you to tour and compare multiple schools, including almost every top college and university in the United States. These tour sites provide you with interactive maps, photos, videos, and testimonials so that you don’t miss out on any of the experience of a real life tour. Some of the most effective and popular places for virtual college tours are :

  • YouVisit: Arguably the most popular virtual tour site, YouVisit is easy on the eyes, user friendly, as well as stacked with 600 possible campuses for you to visit. Each campus has a current student as your online guide, talking you through what makes the different parts of campus special, and unique to that particular college. YouVisit tours also offer prompts that pop up asking students for any input or questions that are then sent to college officials as feedback. This helps the website improve and add more information on what students would like to know or be added to the tours. 
  • CampusTours: CampusTours is one of the most popular sites for visiting a campus from the comfort of your home as its advanced search feature allows students to specify exactly what they’re looking for out of the college experience, such as their desired tuition amount or location. About 100 of the 1,800 campuses you can visit through this sight also give you access to insights from current undergraduates. Due to the rise in prominence of virtual campus tours , the website is currently developing a feature that enables visitors to ask questions while they are on the tour that directly go to college officials.
  • eCampusTours: eCampusTours is not just a website for virtual college tours. Alongside 360 degree views of over 1300 campuses, this website contains a lot of informational sections highlighting questions that come to students’ and parents’ minds when visiting a campus. Once you’ve toured campuses you want, you can visit their sections such as “extracurricular activity” or “choosing a major” to further understand how different schools can help you reach your aspirations.
  • YoUniversity: If you have a list of specific criteria that you want the schools on your list to match, YoUniversity offers a useful tool. The site allows you to narrow your searches according to different categories that students look for out of their college experience such as “most beautiful campuses,” “safest campuses,” “most active Greek life,” or “in-state tuition.” The entries for each category have been compiled with past and present student feedback so you can count on it to be accurate and up-to-date!
  • CampusReel: Although not exactly a virtual tour site, CampusReel is a good place to check out for insights on campuses as its database contains over 15,000 student-generated videos offering you multiple perspectives on college campuses. Each college’s page is divided into different categories, such as “dorms” or “campus.” While you won’t be controlling the visit with the click of your own mouse, these students will take you on  personal tours of their residence halls and academic buildings in order to give you a picture of what campus life is like. 

How to Take Advantage of Your Online Visit

  • Make the most of technology at hand: E -visits come with technological benefits that are not available during in-person tours. . So, be sure to use these resources to your advantage, and screenshot, bookmark, and screen record different parts of the tour. Doing so can help keep your memory fresh, especially if you’re attending multiple virtual tours. Instead of trying to jog your memory during interview prep, you can easily revisit a screenshot and remember a campus building that stood out.
  • Take notes: As you attend virtual college tours, it’s extremely important that you take notes. Not only will knowing what stood out about different colleges help you during your selection process, admissions officers will appreciate concrete details about what appeals to you about their school when reading your supplemental essays. For example, the sentence “I was excited to learn about NYU Stern’s Program for Undergraduate Research on my campus tour as it can help me reach my goal of XYZ” gives the reader a far clearer picture of who you are and why you’re interested rather than just saying “I want to attend a business school in New York.” Taking notes can help you achieve this!
  • Remember what you’d notice on a physical tour: There are many things that you can get a better sense of on an in-person tour that you can’t on virtual college tours such as the weather or the distance between certain buildings. However, most campus visit websites have both a street-view as well as a bird’s eye view. You can play with these settings to figure out the distance between different parts of campus and try walking the same number of miles from your own home to get an idea of how much you might have to walk. As for weather, you can always check your phone for the temperature at any place on a given day. These factors can make a difference in your decision of where to attend, so don’t forget to take them into account. 
  • Write down questions that come to mind: As admissions officers might take time to get back to you on a site such as YouVisit, you might not get all your questions answered in real time. So, it’s extra important that jot down any points or questions that arise while you’re attending virtual college tours so that you can bring them up when you’re contacting a representative of the university.
  • Reach out with the questions: Going off of the points above, once you’ve finished touring a campus, you’re going to have questions. Whether it’s about course selection, or on-campus facilities, you’ll want to reach out to someone. Emailing the admissions offices can be beneficial as they can guide you towards student representatives who can answer these for you. Or, if you meet up or video chat with an alum of the college, you can refer to your notes and ask them different questions about their experience. 

While it’s undoubtedly disheartening that you can’t travel to actual campuses, virtual college tours are a unique opportunity. They provide you with highly useful methods of understanding what a campus has to offer you while still maintaining social distance. As you build your college list, make sure you take notes of what stands out to you, as well as ask questions to campus representatives so that you can gain a better understanding of whether the school is right for you. Happy touring!

Tags : campus visits , college tours , virtual college tours , online college tours , campus visit sites

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80 Questions to Ask on a College Campus Tour

November 4, 2020

by Matt Hughes

Choosing a college is about more than just numbers and data; it's about a feeling, and there's no better way to tell whether a college is the right or wrong place for you than by visiting in person .

When you're on campus for a tour, you'll get to see for yourself where you could be spending the next four years of your life: where you'll study, sleep, eat, play and kick back. You'll get a glimpse of the students you'll be surrounded by and the professors you'll learn from, the activities you'll pursue and the teams you'll cheer to victory, as well as the larger region you'll explore and make your home.

To make the most of your campus tour, you'll want to ask the right questions — ones that get to the heart of what you're looking for in a college experience. Choosing good questions is especially important now, as the pandemic has put limits on the time you may have to spend on a campus or the places you can visit while you're there.

Plan a visit to Bucknell

To help you make the most of your visit, we've compiled a list of questions to think about as you prepare, organized into five areas that together represent the whole of a college experience:

  • Student and Residence Life
  • Student Support
  • Careers and Alumni Life

As you'll see, there are far too many questions on this list to ask in a one- or two-hour visit, especially if there are other families in your tour group. Instead of starting at the top, use this list to help refine your own shorter list of questions that get to the heart of what's most important to you.

And of course, feel free to add a few questions of your own to your list. Choosing a college is all about finding what you're looking for.

Before we begin, a few words of advice:

Do Your Homework First

A lot of campus visitors ask questions about data and numbers during their tour: How many students go here? How many graduate in four or six years? What's your student-faculty ratio? What's the average class size? These are all important things to know before making your decision, but they should also be easy to find on any college's website (you can find answers to all of them on Bucknell's Fast Facts page). You'll only have so much time to ask questions during a campus tour, so make the most of that opportunity to dig deeper by asking questions that get to the heart of what you're looking for in a college experience.

What About Financial Aid?

Questions about financial aid also fall into this category, but for a different reason: The answers you're looking for are highly individual. On any campus you'll find students who pay full tuition and those who pay no tuition at all; it all depends on their individual circumstances and the scholarships they receive. The student or admissions officer leading your tour won't know anything about your family's financial situation, so they can only explain so much. They might tell you about the college's average aid package or scholarship opportunities, but you can probably find that information yourself on the college's website.

While you should ask questions about financial aid, your best bet for getting the answers you need is to set up a separate call or meeting with the college's financial aid office (you can reach Bucknell's at [email protected] or 570-577-1331).

You can also use the net price calculator you can find on many college websites (Bucknell's is here ) to get a better sense of how much aid you might be eligible to receive.

During your tour, you may also want to ask about specific scholarships that might apply to you, such as merit scholarships for the arts, sciences or athletics. Just bear in mind that the tour guide can only give you general answers.

With that advice out of the way, here are some suggestions for questions to ask on your campus tour.

Academic Questions — What Are Classes Like?

  • Why did you decide to attend this college?

Ask this question if your tour is being led by a student tour guide. There's no better way to get a sense of whether a college might be right for you than to hear first hand what sealed the decision for someone who goes there now. If there's any question we recommend you ask, it's this one.

  • Is there anything you don't like? If you had to say, what would you change about this college?

Another revealing question that can give you perspective you won't find in admissions materials or online marketing.

  • What makes this college different from other schools you looked at?
  • What majors are most popular here?
  • Are most classes led by professors or teaching assistants?
  • Are classes mostly discussion-based or lecture-based?
  • What's the largest class you've ever taken here?
  • How large was your average first-year class?
  • How much freedom do first-year students have in choosing courses?
  • How easy/hard is it to enroll in a class you want to take?
  • Are there any popular classes that always fill up quickly?
  • How much room is there to take classes outside your major?
  • Is it possible to take classes from another college (within a university) or get a minor or second major from another college?
  • Is it easy to change your major?
  • Is there an honors program? What does it require?
  • Are there any capstone courses or senior-year projects all or most students take part in? What do you do?
  • Are there any particularly interesting, innovative or unique classes you can talk about?
  • How popular is studying abroad at this school?
  • Does the school run any of its own study abroad programs? Where are they?
  • Are there opportunities to do research or fieldwork as an undergraduate student?
  • Are collaborative or group projects common?
  • Do classes often connect to the community or with outside businesses and organizations?

Student Life Questions — What’s It Like to Live Here?

  • What does an average day for a first-year student look like?
  • How do first-year students tend to make friends and meet other students?
  • What do students do when they aren't in class?
  • Where do students go to study besides their rooms?
  • What are weekends like on campus? Do most students stay here or do they tend to go home or off campus (or to a nearby city) to hang out?
  • How are the connections with the local community? Do you feel like part of the community here?
  • What makes this community special? Why do you like living here?
  • Is there anything you don't like about this community/living here?
  • Is housing guaranteed all four years? Do most students usually live on campus all four years or move off campus when they're allowed to?
  • What are the housing options for students in each class year?
  • Is there special-interest housing, like housing focused on a particular major or academic interest, students from particular backgrounds, or students who wish to pursue a substance-free lifestyle?
  • How are first-year roommates assigned? Do most students get along with their assigned roommate? What was your roommate like?
  • How easy or hard is it to change roommates if you're not a good match?
  • Are there a lot of fraternities or sororities? How important are they to the social scene on campus?
  • What are the fitness facilities like? Do they get crowded?
  • What options are there for club and intramural sports or fitness classes?
  • How's the food on campus? Are there a lot of options?
  • Do the dining halls accommodate special dietary requirements?
  • What local restaurants do students love?
  • Is it easy to get around without a car?
  • What transportation options does the college provide?
  • Is the area safe to walk around at night? What kind of safety measures are in place?
  • Do many students work on or off campus? Are there opportunities to find jobs that will help my resume?
  • What are the big annual events on campus?
  • What are the sporting events like here?

Support Questions — How Easy Is It to Get Help?

  • How easy or hard is it to get help from professors outside of class?
  • How often do professors have office hours? Is it easy to schedule a time to meet or do they fill up quickly?
  • Is there free academic support or tutoring? Is it available to all students in all subjects?
  • Is there a writing center to help with papers?
  • How can the library help with research? Do librarians or other staff provide individual help?
  • What resources and accommodations are available for students with learning disabilities or other special needs?
  • What is academic advising like? Is it easy to meet with your adviser, and what kind of help do they offer?
  • Do students organize study groups or online meetups? Does the school help coordinate those meetings?
  • Are computer labs open 24 hours? Are they easy to access or do they get crowded at certain times?
  • What health and mental wellness services are available on campus?
  • What is orientation like? How long is it and do any onboarding activities continue throughout the year?

Admissions Questions — What Are You Looking for in a Student?

  • What qualities and experiences are you most looking for in an applicant?
  • How are applications evaluated? What are the different things you consider?
  • Are interviews required or available as part of the application process?
  • How large of a role do standardized test scores play in admissions?
  • Are you test-optional?
  • Does this school give credit for AP or IB courses, or college courses taken while in high school? How much/what classes are eligible?
  • Do I need to declare a major on my application? What if I'm not sure?
  • How easy is it to change my major if I decide it's not for me?
  • What's your best advice for someone who wants to get into this school?
  • What leads most students to choose this college?
  • What sort of person wouldn't be happy here?

Career/Alumni Questions — What’s It Like to Be a Graduate of This School?

  • What sort of help does the college provide for finding internships?
  • Are there a lot of internships available in the community or do you have to go farther away?
  • Are there any internship opportunities on campus?
  • Are work-study programs available? What about co-op programs for majors like engineering or science?
  • Is there special advising for students who want to go to medical school, law school or other graduate programs?
  • What does career advising and counseling look like?
  • Do many recruiters come to campus? How many of them are alumni?
  • How does the career center help students identify job opportunities?
  • Are career advising services available after graduation?
  • What other help does the career services office provide?
  • How many/what percentage of students find jobs in their field of study?
  • How active is your alumni network? Is the alumni association visible on campus?

Touring Bucknell

So there you have it — enough questions to keep a campus tour guide talking all day. We hope this list gives you lots to think about as you begin exploring colleges in person.

If you'd like to visit Bucknell for a campus tour, get started by exploring your visit options here . You'll find a menu of visit experiences including traditional guided tours and self-guided alternatives. Just as we believe in empowering students to create their own college experience, we also give prospective students choices to experience our campus the way that suits them best.

You can also get a taste of what you'll experience on campus through our virtual tour .

And if you have questions you'd like to ask us now, please contact us anytime at [email protected] or 570-577-3000.

Stay up to date throughout your Bucknell journey

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, are virtual college tours as important as on-campus.

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College Admissions

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Do you have colleges you're interested in but don't have the time or money to visit the campuses in person? Look into virtual college tours! More and more colleges are now offering them (we have the whole list!), and they're a great way to get a feel for what a particular school is like without leaving home. But how do virtual college visits work? What questions should you ask? And how do you know if they're the right choice for you? Keep reading to find out.

What Is a Virtual College Tour? How Do They Work?

Virtual college tours are pretty much what they sound like: you watch from your computer as a student from the college you're interested in gives you a video tour of campus , tells stories about the school, and answers any questions you may have. Some are fully live, with the camera following the guide around as they go to different parts of campus, while others are partly prerecorded with the guide speaking over pre-shot video of the campus.

You'll sign up in advance for a virtual college tour. We recommend doing this well ahead of time (ideally several weeks) since the virtual tours are still kept fairly small to allow everyone the chance to ask questions. A day or so before the tour, you'll be given a link that you'll click on at the given time to start the tour. And that's it!

College tours have long been one of the best ways to learn if a school is right for you. On top of that, touring a school shows the admissions teams that you're seriously interested in attending. Some colleges use demonstrated interest as a part of their application review process, so even just attending a virtual college tour could give your application a boost.

Are college tours where you're not actually on campus still useful? They can be! Certainly there are benefits to actually being on campus and experiencing the vibe for yourself, but virtual college tours can be a surprisingly useful alternative. They're carefully put together to show students different parts of campus (classrooms, dorms, stadiums, etc.) and give them a feel for the entire school. Like an in-person college tour, you'll also be able to ask questions at the end.

What Questions Should You Ask During a Virtual College Visit?

We have a list of 118 questions to ask during a campus tour , but below are questions specifically for virtual college tours. Some of these are general questions, others are aimed at giving you a sense of what the school and campus life is like when you're not able to experience it in-person. Whatever questions you ask, be sure that you end the virtual tour feeling like you have a good sense of all aspects of the school, including academics, housing and dining options, extracurriculars, and campus life.

  • How large are the classes?
  • Are the classes more lecture-based or discussion-based?
  • How much freedom do freshmen have in choosing courses? Are there required classes for freshmen?
  • Are students usually able to take their first choice courses?
  • Is it easy to change your major?
  • Can undergraduates work with professors on research?
  • Where are the best places to study on campus?
  • What are the hours for the library? Do these change during reading periods or exam weeks?
  • Are study abroad programs popular? Any ones in particular?
  • What kind of opportunities exist for undergraduates to work on research or academic projects with professors?
  • What kind of internships are available? Do a lot of students get internships?

Residence Life

  • What are the dorms like? Are there lounges, laundry, and kitchens? Shared or private restrooms?
  • Do most students live in the dorms?
  • What's the most popular dorm to live in? The least popular? How do they compare to the dorm we saw on the tour?
  • What kind of food does the dining hall serve? Are there different options? How is it, really?

Extracurriculars

  • What are some of the most popular extracurriculars and why?
  • What clubs or other opportunities exist for community service?
  • Do sports play a large role on campus? What about intramurals or exercise classes?

Campus and the Surrounding Area

  • Where do students tend to hang out on and off campus?
  • How would you describe the presence of Greek life? Do a lot of students belong to fraternities or sororities?
  • What are some big campus events, like homecoming or alumni weekend?
  • Is it easy to get around campus or get off campus without a car?
  • What transportation options are there around campus?
  • Is it a safe area to walk around at night? What kind of safety measures are in place?

Personal Questions

  • What's your favorite class and why?
  • What do you wish you had known going into freshman year?
  • Is there anything you wish you had done differently to improve your experience here?
  • What's your favorite spot you've discovered on campus since arriving?

4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Virtual College Tours

If you've decided to do a virtual college tour, what's next? Follow the four tips below to get the most out of the experience.

#1: Prepare Ahead of Time

Before you sit down for any virtual tour of a college, you should do a bit of work beforehand. First, think about what you want to get from this tour. Of course you want to learn more about the school, but is there something specific you're hoping to get from it? A better understanding of what campus looks like? A chance to see an actual dorm room? A clearer explanation of what choosing freshman classes will be like? Having a goal in mind will help you get the most out of the tour. 

Next, come up with a short list of questions you'd like answered (use our suggestions above as a guideline). Finally, when it comes time to sit in on the virtual tour, take it seriously. Move distractions (like your phone) out of sight, and don't be tempted to spend the tour scrolling through other websites. If this is actually a college you're interested in attending, then it's worth an hour of your time to really pay attention to the tour.

#2: Know They're Showing You the Best Parts

This is true of all campus tours. When I visited Michigan State, they had a dorm room they kept vacant and had decorated to show touring students what their dorm room would look like. And…that dorm room was significantly nicer than mine ended up being. For a virtual tour, it's even easier to only show the nicest parts of campus. This doesn't mean that the school is deliberately trying to con you or that the parts of the school you don't see will be a disaster, but be aware that a virtual tour is a bit like looking at someone's Instagram: they're showing you their highlight reel.

#3: Research Other Ways to Learn About the School

College visits (both in-person and virtual) are a great way to learn about a school, but they're certainly not the only way, especially as colleges grow their online presence more and more. If you've done a virtual tour of a college and are interested in still learning more, check out other resources. The school's website is the obvious one, but you can also look into their social media accounts, see what's being written in the school newspaper (they're practically all available online now), what events are coming up on the school calendar, etc. You can also talk to other people affiliated with the school, such as an admissions counselor, and ask them questions you still have after the virtual tour. For example, if you did a Boston College virtual tour and want to know more about the school, you could check out its admissions webpage , its admissions Instagram page , and its student paper , as a start.

#4: Consider If You Want to Visit In-Person

Virtual campus tours are a great way to get a better sense of what a certain school offers and what the vibe is like. However, it's not a perfect replacement for an in-person visit where you can see the buildings for yourself, walk around campus, see students going to and from classes, etc. If you're really interested in a school after doing a virtual tour, and you have the time/money to travel there, an in-person visit can help you decide if it's actually the right school for you. Some students also wait until after they've been admitted and received financial aid packages to visit schools, so they're not wasting their time, but be aware this only gives you about a month to make the visit and decide where you want to go to college.

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Colleges That Offer Virtual Campus Tours

Virtual college visits have become more and more popular in recent years, especially since the pandemic made it difficult or impossible to visit many college campuses. Below are all the colleges that currently offer virtual college tours, organized alphabetically by state. It's a long list, so use "ctrl +F" to search for a school name if you're interested to see if a specific school is a virtual tour college.

  • Auburn University
  • Birmingham-Southern College
  • Huntingdon College
  • Samford University
  • Troy University
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
  • University of Mobile
  • University of Montevallo
  • University of South Alabama
  • University of West Alabama
  • Alaska Pacific University
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Southwestern College
  • Arizona State University
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Northern Arizona University
  • University of Advancing Technology
  • University of Arizona
  • Arkansas Tech University
  • Harding University
  • Hendrix College
  • John Brown University
  • University of Arkansas--Fayetteville
  • University of the Ozarks
  • Academy of Art University
  • ArtCenter College of Design
  • Azusa Pacific University
  • Biola University
  • California Baptist University
  • California College of the Arts
  • California Institute of Technology
  • California Institute of the Arts
  • California Lutheran University
  • California Polytechnic State University
  • CSU Channel Islands
  • CSU East Bay
  • CSU Humboldt
  • CSU Long Beach
  • CSU Los Angeles
  • CSU Northridge
  • CSU Sacramento
  • CSU San Bernardino
  • CSU San Diego
  • CSU San Francisco
  • CSU San Jose
  • CSU San Luis Obispo
  • CSU San Marcos
  • Chapman University
  • Claremont McKenna College
  • Cogswell College
  • Humboldt State University
  • Humphreys College
  • Loyola Marymount University
  • Marymount California University
  • The Master's University
  • Mills College
  • Mount Saint Mary's University
  • Notre Dame de Namur University
  • Occidental College
  • Otis College of Art and Design
  • Pacific Union College
  • Pepperdine University
  • Pitzer College
  • Point Loma Nazarene University
  • Pomona College
  • Saint Mary's College of California
  • San Diego State University
  • San Francisco State University
  • Santa Clara University
  • Simpson University
  • Soka University of America
  • Sonoma State University
  • Stanford University
  • Thomas Aquinas College
  • University of California--Berkeley
  • University of California--Davis
  • University of California-Irvine
  • University of California--Los Angeles
  • University of California - Merced
  • University of California--Riverside
  • University of California--San Diego
  • University of California--Santa Barbara
  • University of California--Santa Cruz
  • University of La Verne
  • University of San Diego
  • University of San Francisco
  • University of Southern California
  • Westmont College
  • Whittier College
  • Colorado Mesa University
  • Colorado School of Mines
  • Colorado State University
  • Colorado State University-Pueblo
  • Fort Lewis College
  • Naropa University
  • Regis University
  • United States Air Force Academy
  • University of Colorado--Boulder
  • University of Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado

Connecticut

  • Central Connecticut State University
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Fairfield University
  • Mitchell College
  • Quinnipiac University
  • Sacred Heart University
  • Trinity College
  • University of Bridgeport
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Saint Joseph
  • Wesleyan University
  • Western Connecticut State University
  • Yale University
  • University of Delaware
  • Barry University
  • Clearwater Christian College
  • Eckerd College
  • Flagler College
  • Florida A&M University
  • Florida Atlantic University
  • Florida Institute of Technology
  • Florida International University
  • Florida Southern College
  • Florida State University
  • Lynn University
  • New College of Florida
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • Ringling College of Art + Design
  • Rollins College
  • Saint Leo University
  • Stetson University
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Florida
  • University of Miami
  • University of North Florida
  • University of South Florida
  • University of Tampa
  • University of West Florida
  • Webber International University
  • Agnes Scott College
  • Albany State University
  • The Art Institute of Atlanta
  • Augusta University
  • Berry College
  • Brenau University
  • Covenant College
  • Emory University
  • Georgia College & State University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Georgia State University
  • Kennesaw State University
  • Life University
  • Mercer University
  • Piedmont College
  • Point University
  • Reinhardt University
  • Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Shorter College
  • University of Georgia
  • University of North Georgia
  • Valdosta State University
  • Wesleyan College
  • Chaminade University of Honolulu
  • University of Hawaii-Manoa
  • Boise State University
  • Lewis-Clark State College
  • University of Idaho
  • Augustana College
  • Aurora University
  • Bradley University
  • Columbia College 
  • DePaul University
  • Dominican University
  • Eastern Illinois University
  • Elmhurst College
  • Greenville University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Illinois State University
  • Illinois Wesleyan University
  • Knox College
  • Lake Forest College
  • Lewis University
  • Loyola University of Chicago
  • Millikin University
  • Monmouth College
  • North Central College
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Northern Illinois University
  • North Park University
  • Northwestern University
  • Quincy University
  • Rockford University
  • Roosevelt University
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
  • Trinity Christian College
  • The University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Springfield
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • University of St. Francis
  • Western Illinois University
  • Wheaton College
  • Anderson University
  • Ball State University
  • Bethel University
  • Butler University
  • DePauw University
  • Grace College and Seminary
  • Hanover College
  • Huntington University
  • Indiana State University
  • Indiana University--Bloomington
  • Indiana University East
  • Indiana University-Kokomo
  • Indiana University Northwest
  • Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
  • Indiana University South Bend
  • Indiana University Southeast
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Manchester University
  • Marian University
  • Purdue University--West Lafayette
  • Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
  • Saint Mary's College
  • Taylor University
  • University of Evansville
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Southern Indiana
  • Valparaiso University
  • Wabash College
  • Briar Cliff University
  • Buena Vista University
  • Central College
  • Cornell College
  • Drake University
  • Graceland University
  • Grinnell College
  • Luther College
  • Mount Mercy University
  • Northwestern College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • University of Dubuque
  • University of Iowa
  • Upper Iowa University
  • Wartburg College
  • William Penn University
  • Baker University
  • Bethel College
  • Fort Hays State University
  • Friends University
  • Kansas State University
  • MidAmerica Nazarene University
  • Sterling College
  • University of Kansas
  • Wichita State University
  • Bellarmine University
  • Centre College
  • Georgetown College
  • Murray State University
  • Northern Kentucky University
  • Transylvania University
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Pikeville
  • University of the Cumberlands
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Louisiana College
  • Louisiana State University--Baton Rouge
  • Loyola University New Orleans
  • Nicholls State University
  • Southeastern Louisiana University
  • Southern University and A & M College
  • Tulane University
  • University of New Orleans
  • Bates College
  • Bowdoin College
  • Colby College
  • Husson University
  • Unity College
  • University of Maine
  • University of Maine-Augusta
  • University of New England
  • Frostburg State University
  • Goucher College
  • Hood College
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Loyola University Maryland
  • Maryland Institute College of Art
  • Mount St. Mary's University
  • St. John's College
  • St. Mary's College of Maryland
  • Salisbury University
  • Stevenson University
  • Towson University
  • United States Naval Academy
  • University of Maryland--Baltimore County
  • University of Maryland--College Park

Massachusetts

  • Amherst College
  • Assumption College
  • Babson College
  • Bard College at Simon's Rock
  • Bay Path University
  • Bentley University
  • Boston College
  • Boston University
  • Brandeis University
  • Cambridge College
  • Clark University
  • College of the Holy Cross
  • Emerson College
  • Emmanuel College
  • Endicott College
  • Fitchburg State College
  • Framingham State University
  • Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
  • Gordon College
  • Hampshire College
  • Harvard College
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Merrimack College
  • Mount Holyoke College
  • Nichols College
  • Regis College
  • School of the Museum of Fine Arts
  • Simmons University
  • Suffolk University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell
  • Wellesley College
  • Wentworth Institute of Technology
  • Western New England University
  • Westfield State University
  • Williams College
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  • Worcester State University
  • Adrian College
  • Albion College
  • Aquinas College
  • Calvin University
  • Central Michigan University
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Ferris State University
  • Hope College
  • Kalamazoo College
  • Kettering University
  • Lawrence Technological University
  • Michigan State University
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Northern Michigan University
  • Northwood University
  • Oakland University
  • Saginaw Valley State University
  • Siena Heights University
  • Spring Arbor University
  • University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
  • Wayne State University
  • Western Michigan University
  • Augsburg University
  • Bemidji State University
  • Carleton College
  • College of St. Benedict/Saint John's University
  • The College of Saint Scholastica
  • Concordia College
  • Concordia University - St Paul
  • Gustavus Adolphus College
  • Hamline University
  • Macalester College
  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design
  • Minnesota State University--Mankato
  • Minnesota State University--Moorhead
  • Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
  • St. Olaf College
  • University of Minnesota--Crookston
  • University of Minnesota--Duluth
  • University of Minnesota--Morris
  • University of Minnesota--Twin Cities
  • University of Saint Thomas

Mississippi

  • Belhaven College
  • Jackson State University
  • Millsaps College
  • Mississippi State University
  • University of Mississippi
  • Columbia College
  • Drury University
  • Maryville University of Saint Louis
  • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Missouri Valley College
  • Saint Louis University
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Southwest Baptist University
  • Stephens College
  • Truman State University
  • University of Central Missouri
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Missouri--Kansas City
  • University of Missouri--Saint Louis
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Webster University
  • Westminster College
  • William Jewell College
  • Montana State University
  • Montana State University--Billings
  • Rocky Mountain College
  • University of Montana
  • The University of Montana--Western
  • College of Saint Mary
  • Creighton University
  • Doane University
  • Hastings College
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
  • University of Nebraska--Omaha
  • University of Nebraska--Lincoln
  • Wayne State College
  • Sierra Nevada College

New Hampshire

  • Colby-Sawyer College
  • Dartmouth College
  • Franklin Pierce University
  • Keene State College
  • Plymouth State University
  • Rivier University
  • Saint Anselm College
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • University of New Hampshire
  • Caldwell University
  • The College of New Jersey
  • College of Saint Elizabeth
  • Drew University
  • Georgian Court University
  • Kean University
  • Monmouth University
  • Montclair State University
  • New Jersey City University
  • New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • Princeton University
  • Ramapo College of New Jersey
  • Rider University
  • Rowan University
  • Rutgers University-Camden
  • Rutgers University-Newark
  • Rutgers University-New Brunswick
  • Seton Hall University
  • Stevens Institute of Technology
  • Stockton University
  • Thomas Edison State University
  • William Paterson University
  • Eastern New Mexico University
  • New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology
  • New Mexico State University
  • University of New Mexico
  • Adelphi University
  • Alfred University
  • Barnard College
  • Canisius College
  • City University of New York--Baruch College
  • City University of New York--Brooklyn College
  • Queens College of the City University of New York
  • City University of New York - The College of Staten Island
  • Clarkson University
  • Colgate University
  • The College of Saint Rose
  • Columbia University
  • The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
  • Cornell University
  • Daemen College
  • Elmira College
  • Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
  • Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York
  • Five Towns College
  • Fordham University
  • Hamilton College
  • Hartwick College
  • Hilbert College
  • Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • Hofstra University
  • Houghton College
  • Iona College
  • Ithaca College
  • The Juilliard School
  • Le Moyne College
  • Long Island University Post
  • Manhattan College
  • Manhattanville College
  • Marist College
  • Marymount Manhattan College
  • Mercy College
  • Molloy College
  • Mount Saint Mary College
  • Nazareth College
  • New York Institute of Technology
  • New York School of Interior Design
  • New York University
  • Niagara University
  • Pace University
  • Parsons The New School for Design
  • Pratt Institute
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Roberts Wesleyan College
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • St. Bonaventure University
  • St. John Fisher College
  • St. John's University
  • St. Joseph's College
  • St. Lawrence University
  • St. Thomas Aquinas College
  • Siena College
  • Skidmore College
  • SUNY at Albany
  • SUNY--Binghamton University SUNY--The College at Brockport
  • SUNY--University at Buffalo
  • SUNY Canton
  • SUNY Cobleskill
  • SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • SUNY Cortland
  • SUNY Empire State College
  • SUNY Fredonia
  • SUNY Geneseo
  • SUNY Maritime College
  • SUNY Morrisville
  • SUNY New Paltz
  • SUNY Old Westbury
  • SUNY Oneonta
  • SUNY Oswego
  • SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Potsdam
  • SUNY--Stony Brook University
  • Syracuse University
  • Union College
  • United States Merchant Marine Academy
  • United States Military Academy
  • University of Rochester
  • Utica College
  • Vassar College
  • Wagner College
  • Webb Institute
  • Wells College

North Carolina

  • Appalachian State University
  • Barton College
  • Belmont Abbey College
  • Brevard College
  • Catawba College
  • Duke University
  • East Carolina University
  • Elon University
  • Gardner-Webb University
  • Guilford College
  • High Point University
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • Meredith College
  • Methodist University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Salem College
  • University of North Carolina--Asheville
  • University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill
  • University of North Carolina--Charlotte
  • University of North Carolina--Greensboro
  • University of North Carolina--Pembroke
  • University of North Carolina--Wilmington
  • Wake Forest University
  • Warren Wilson College
  • Western Carolina University
  • William Peace University
  • Wingate University

North Dakota

  • Mayville State University
  • University of North Dakota
  • Ashland University
  • Baldwin Wallace University
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Cedarville University
  • Cleveland State University
  • College of Wooster
  • Columbus College of Art & Design
  • Denison University
  • Hiram College
  • John Carroll University
  • Kent State University
  • Kenyon College
  • Malone University
  • Miami University
  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University
  • Muskingum University
  • Oberlin College
  • Ohio Dominican University
  • The Ohio State University--Columbus
  • The Ohio State University--Newark
  • Ohio University--Athens
  • Shawnee State University
  • Tiffin University
  • Union Institute & University
  • University of Akron
  • University of Cincinnati
  • University of Dayton
  • University of Findlay
  • University of Mount Union
  • University of Toledo
  • Wittenberg University
  • Wright State University
  • Xavier University 
  • Youngstown State University
  • Northeastern State University
  • Oklahoma Baptist University
  • Oklahoma Christian University
  • Oklahoma City University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • Oral Roberts University
  • University of Central Oklahoma
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
  • University of Tulsa
  • Eastern Oregon University
  • George Fox University
  • Lewis & Clark College
  • Linfield College
  • Multnomah University
  • Oregon State University
  • Pacific Northwest College of Art
  • Portland State University
  • Southern Oregon University
  • University of Portland
  • Warner Pacific College
  • Western Oregon University

Pennsylvania

  • Albright College
  • Allegheny College
  • Alvernia University
  • Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Bucknell University
  • Cairn University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Chatham University
  • Chestnut Hill College
  • Clarks Summit University
  • Delaware Valley University
  • DeSales University
  • Dickinson College
  • Drexel University
  • Duquesne University
  • Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
  • Franklin & Marshall College
  • Gannon University
  • Grove City College
  • Gwynedd Mercy University
  • Haverford College
  • Holy Family University
  • Juniata College
  • Keystone College
  • King's College
  • Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
  • Lafayette College
  • Lancaster Bible College
  • La Roche University
  • La Salle University
  • Lebanon Valley College
  • Lehigh University
  • Lincoln University
  • Lycoming College
  • Mansfield University
  • Marywood University
  • Messiah College
  • Misericordia University
  • Moravian College
  • Muhlenberg College
  • Neumann University
  • Penn State University Park
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology
  • Robert Morris University
  • Rosemont College
  • Saint Joseph's University
  • Saint Vincent College
  • Susquehanna University
  • Swarthmore College
  • Thiel College
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Pittsburgh--Bradford
  • University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
  • University of Pittsburgh--Pittsburgh
  • University of Scranton
  • University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
  • Ursinus College
  • Villanova University
  • Washington & Jefferson College
  • Waynesburg University
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania
  • Widener University
  • Wilkes University
  • Wilson College
  • York College of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

  • Brown University
  • Bryant University
  • Providence College
  • Roger Williams University
  • Salve Regina University
  • University of Rhode Island

South Carolina

  • Bob Jones University
  • The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina
  • Clemson University
  • Coastal Carolina University
  • College of Charleston
  • Converse College
  • Erskine College
  • Francis Marion University
  • Limestone College
  • Southern Wesleyan University
  • University of South Carolina 
  • Winthrop University
  • Wofford College

South Dakota

  • Augustana University
  • Dakota State University
  • South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
  • Belmont University
  • Bryan College
  • King University
  • Lee University
  • Lincoln Memorial University
  • Lipscomb University
  • Maryville College
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Milligan College
  • Rhodes College
  • Southern Adventist University
  • Tennessee Technological University
  • Tusculum College
  • Union University
  • University of Memphis
  • The University of the South
  • University of Tennessee--Chattanooga
  • University of Tennessee--Knoxville
  • University of Tennessee--Martin
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Abilene Christian University
  • Angelo State University
  • Austin College
  • Baylor University
  • Dallas Baptist University
  • Hardin-Simmons University
  • Houston Baptist University
  • Huston-Tillotson University
  • McMurry University
  • Midwestern State University
  • Rice University
  • St. Edward's University
  • Schreiner University
  • Southern Methodist University
  • Southwestern University
  • Tarleton State University
  • Texas A&M University--College Station
  • Texas Christian University
  • Texas Lutheran University
  • Texas State University
  • Texas Tech University
  • Trinity University
  • University of Houston
  • University of North Texas
  • University of Texas--Arlington
  • University of Texas--Austin
  • University of Texas--San Antonio
  • Wayland Baptist University
  • Brigham Young University 
  • Neumont College
  • University of Utah
  • Utah State University
  • Weber State University
  • Bennington College
  • Champlain College
  • Marlboro College
  • Middlebury College
  • Saint Michael's College
  • Vermont Technical College
  • Bridgewater College
  • Christendom College
  • Christopher Newport University
  • Eastern Mennonite University
  • George Mason University
  • Hampden-Sydney College
  • Hampton University
  • Hollins University
  • James Madison University
  • Liberty University
  • Longwood University
  • Mary Baldwin University
  • Old Dominion University
  • Patrick Henry College
  • Radford University
  • Randolph College
  • Randolph-Macon College
  • Regent University
  • Roanoke College
  • Shenandoah University
  • Sweet Briar College
  • University of Lynchburg
  • University of Mary Washington
  • University of Richmond
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Virginia Tech
  • Virginia Wesleyan University
  • Washington and Lee University
  • William & Mary
  • Bastyr University
  • Central Washington University
  • DigiPen Institute of Technology
  • Eastern Washington University
  • Evergreen State College
  • Gonzaga University
  • Heritage University
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • Seattle University
  • University of Puget Sound
  • University of Washington
  • University of Washington--Tacoma
  • Washington State University
  • Western Washington University
  • Whitman College
  • Whitworth University

Washington DC

  • American University
  • Catholic University of America
  • Gallaudet University
  • Georgetown University
  • Howard University

West Virginia

  • Bethany College
  • Concord University
  • Marshall University
  • University of Charleston
  • West Virginia University
  • West Virginia Wesleyan College
  • Wheeling Jesuit University
  • Beloit College
  • Carthage College
  • Lawrence University
  • Marquette University
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering
  • Mount Mary University
  • Northland College
  • Ripon College
  • St. Norbert College
  • University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire
  • University of Wisconsin--Green Bay
  • University of Wisconsin--La Crosse
  • University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee
  • University of Wisconsin--Platteville
  • University of Wisconsin--River Falls
  • University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point
  • University of Wisconsin--Stout
  • University of Wisconsin--Superior
  • University of Wisconsin--Whitewater
  • Viterbo University
  • Central Wyoming College
  • University of Wyoming

body_friends-cc0

Summary: College Virtual Tours

A Virtual college tour is a tour that you can watch from your phone or computer. The tour is generally an hour long, and will be led by a tour guide who will talk to you about the school and their experience there, as well as answer questions you or others may have. Seeing a school in-person is always the best way to get a feel for it, but virtual tours are still a great way to get a sense of what the college and study body are like, without the time and expense of traveling to the school itself. Virtual campus tours have become more and more popular in recent years, and many schools offer them. To get the most out of a virtual campus tour, be sure to:

  •  Prepare ahead of time
  • Remember that you're being shown the best parts of the school
  • Research other ways to learn about the school
  • Consider an in-person visit

What's Next?

Are you in the midst of researching colleges and narrowing down your college list? This guide has some seriously helpful suggestions for figuring out what you want and choosing the colleges that best match your goals.

Touring a school is just one part of the college application process . This complete guide to college applications will help you plan your application step by step!

Another concern when making your college list may be financial aid. If this is important to you, check out these 27 colleges with the best financial aid!

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Making the Most of Virtual College Tours

A female student of Asian descent studying hard at her laptop while taking notes in a notebook.

Normally, spring brings a few reliable things to college campuses: greenery, sunshine, flip-flops, and large groups of high school students and their parents on tours. As COVID-19 spread and campuses closed, however, those groups were nowhere to be found, and online alternatives blossomed in their wake.

While nothing can replace the feeling of actually walking around a lively, active campus, there are still some things that you can do to learn about what life is like on college campuses and get a feel for being there, even in this post-lockdown era. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best virtual options for touring college campuses and learning more about student life.

Virtual Visiting

There are two major sites for finding virtual college tours: YouVisit and CampusTours. Both offer ways to see campuses, hear from students, and learn more about the schools. As you “visit,” keep in mind all the factors that matter most to you about choosing a school.

YouVisit offers virtual tours of more than 600 colleges in the United States. Many of these tours are compatible with virtual reality headsets, should you own one, or you can just use the 360° feature on your computer or other device. YouVisit tours also include prerecorded student guides to walk you through the tour (as well as translations in English, Spanish, and Mandarin), and most tours offer space to ask questions of college administrators.

CampusTours offers virtual tours of nearly 2,000 schools in the United States and around the world. Most tours include fine-tuned search features, from student population to tuition costs, that allow “visitors” to find the most relevant schools. You can click through most of the virtual tours on this site, allowing you to complete them at your own pace. The site is also working to incorporate a feature enabling students to ask questions directly of college officials through the tour, although most schools do not currently have a live connection to admissions.

Also, be sure to check the undergraduate admissions page of the colleges on your list to see if they are offering any additional resources. Many schools have added some kind of live virtual information sessions in the form of video conferencing or webinars, and more are developing similar programming every week.

It’s annoying, for sure, but routinely checking these sites will ensure that you’re ready to take advantage of any opportunity to prove your interest in a school.

Virtual College Fairs

When many college fairs that normally occur at high schools and summer programs were cancelled, StriveScan offered virtual college fairs to replace them. By registering for a panel, you can hear directly from admissions officers and ask questions. After registering, you will receive a unique Zoom link to attend the live session.

Remember, whether it’s at a fair or an information session, don’t ask questions that you can easily find on the school’s website or in U.S. News and World Report . Our advice for asking questions at these sessions is pretty similar to what we advise asking about in an interview . Use it as an opportunity to learn what the school is really like, not to delve into minutiae.

Hear Directly from Students

There are also some additional resources that may be useful to you as you research schools. While anything compiled from student surveys or opinions is not exactly scientific, these sites all provide an inside look into what students like—and don’t like—about life on their campus.

eCampus Tours does offers college tours (as the name suggests), but it also includes ample specific information about different campuses, targeted at both students and parents. If you’re still looking to understand what you want in a campus, there are various resources on here that will be useful in getting started with that process of discovery.

Campus Reel provides a platform for current students to upload (properly vetted) images and videos about their experiences. Parents and students must register to view them. While many of these aren’t officially sanctioned by college admissions offices, they’re a great way to hear from real students about life on campus.

Finally, YoUniversity brings together student surveys to provide information about life on campus. Users can look for campuses with the best food, the coolest dorms, the most active Greek life, and so on. None of this is official, but if certain aspects of campus life are particularly important to you, it’s worth checking out.

Final Thoughts

As you navigate the process of exploring and evaluating colleges, you will inevitably find yourself frustrated if you can’t be on a particular campus. The tours will glitch; the person running the informational webinar won’t get to your question; you’ll never shake the feeling that you’re still in your living room. But when that happens, don’t despair.

The truth is that even visiting in person is an imperfect way of learning about a college. It might be pouring rain, or your tour guide might be underwhelming. Scheduling often prevents families from visiting until the summer, when there aren’t many students around. Furthermore, visiting for a few hours can only give you a partial view of what life would be like on campus. While different in many ways, online tours at least share certain failings with in-person ones.

So, do what you can to visit virtually, and remind yourself that even if you could be there, you’d still have to do the online research to learn more about the school. Don’t let the small things bother you! Learn what you can from the virtual opportunities, take good notes, and trust that over time the picture will become clearer and you’ll find the perfect school for you!

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., 60 questions to ask on your college tour.

Want to know what life’s really like at your dream school? Chat up the real experts on campus—the students.

When you tour colleges, make sure you talk with as many current students as you can. Ask them what they love and what bothers them most about their schools. This list of potential questions will help you spark some conversations with students on all your college visits , so you can find the school that fits you best.

questions to ask colleges

Why did you choose this school?

Are you happy here?

What are your school's strengths?

What’s your #1 complaint about your school?

What else could stand to be improved?

How accessible are administrators, registrars, financial aid officers, etc.?

What majors are popular?

What departments or programs have the best reputations?

What’s your favorite class?

Are your professors good teachers?

Do your professors hold office hours, and will they meet with you outside of class?

Are most of your classes taught by professors or teaching assistants?

Were you able to take most of your first-choice classes?

Are your classes lecture-based or discussion-based?

How much reading and writing is required in your courses?

How often are collaborative work or group presentations required?

How satisfied are you with academic advising?

Do students use any on-campus tutoring programs or writing centers?

How big are your classes?

Does your major require an independent study or capstone project ?

Are professors available for research with students?

Is it popular to study abroad ?

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Campus Life

What's it like to be a first-year student here?

What's a typical day like?

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What do you do when you're not in class?

What do you do on the weekends?

What is the social scene like?

What kinds of things are there to do in your school's hometown?

How’s the food ?

Do most students live on-campus?

How are the dorms ?

Which clubs and student organizations are popular?

Do lots of students belong to fraternities or sororities?

What's your favorite place on campus?

Where do you like to study?

What are the facilities like (science labs, libraries , theatres, gyms, etc.)?

Are there enough computer labs?

How is the WiFi on campus?

Is it easy to get around campus?

Are sports popular?

Is there a lot of school spirit?

Read More: Search for Colleges

Student Body

How would you describe your fellow students?

Are the students here friendly?

What makes the student body unique?

Is there diversity on campus?

Are there many students from other countries?

Do students of different races and classes interact easily?

Are students cliquish?

Career Services

Are internships available? How do you find them?

Is Career Services helpful?

Do you have a mentor?

Does your school have a co-op program ?

Are there opportunities to build leadership skills on campus?

What options exist for service learning in the community?

Do employers recruit students on campus?

How easy is it to find summer jobs and other kinds of work through your school?

Who are some of the notable graduates from your college?

How visible is your school's alumni association on campus?

What kinds of hands-on or practical experiences have you had in and outside of the classroom?

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What are some good questions to ask at a virtual college tour? What are some questions I definitely shouldn't ask? Answered

I have a virtual college tour scheduled with a small liberal arts college next week. I am kinda clueless as to what questions to ask them during/after the tour. This tour isn't considered as part of the application so my chances won't be hurt/improve due to this tour.

I was just wondering what questions might give me an insight into the college in general.

Earn karma by helping others:

I love this question! As a former tour guide, I can confidently say that no matter what you ask, it won't be the silliest question they've heard, so don't worry about feeling embarrassed -- genuinely ask the questions you're interested in. In general, you want to ask questions that will help you get insight into what it's like to attend the school in question as well as any specific questions you're wondering about. In addition to the awesome answers already posted here, some good ones to help with this are:

- Favorite/least favorite things about the school

- Where do you feel you've made your closest friends at [X school]?

- How often do students use [X resource]?

- If you could do your college experience over again, what would you do differently?

- What surprised you about [X school] when you first got here/what's something you think most people don't realize about [X school]?

- Do most people live on- or off-campus? Why do you think that is?

- Do you like [X resource/department/program]?

You'll want to avoid asking questions that are easily searchable on the school's website (e.g. if the school has study abroad programs), but you can feel free to ask more personal questions about those searchable things (e.g. do people really take advantage of study abroad/do you know anyone who has done study abroad/is it feasible to do study abroad as an engineering major/etc.). You should also avoid asking about what it takes to get in (e.g. what were your SAT score and GPA in high school/what should I write my essays about?), though asking questions that will help you in the admissions process in general (e.g. what do you think is something all students at [X school] have in common?, which may help you write a 'Why [X school]' essay later on) is fair game. Keep in mind that your tour guide likely has nothing to do with the actual admissions process, so the best they can do is speak from personal experience; they don't have any special insight into what goes on in the admissions office! They are experts on being students at their school, though, so you can ask anything related to student experience; if they don't have firsthand experience with the things you're asking about, chances are they know someone who does and can connect you with them.

As a side note, tour guides love getting thank you notes/emails after tours. Of course, this will not impact your admissions chances AT ALL since they are not involved, but if you think they gave a great tour, let them (or their boss) know! Plus, you can usually reach out to your tour guides if you have additional questions (though schools have varying policies on giving out students' contact information).

Have fun at your virtual tour!

Some more questions you may want to ask!

- Is there a culture of stress on campus? What resources are there to deal with workload and stress?

- What classes did you take in the fall of your freshman year?

- What is your favorite thing about the academics at X University?

- What's your favorite tradition at X University?

- What was your favorite class and why?

- As an X major, how many of your classes are labs vs. lectures vs. precepts?

I think you could ask a variety of questions, about academics, campus life, the student body, career options, and lifestyle, apart from the basic questions.

Some examples:

Does your major require a capstone project?

Are research opportunities available for students?

Is it popular to study abroad?

CAMPUS LIFE:

What are the facilities like?

Is it easy to get around campus?

What's a typical day like?

STUDENT BODY:

Is there diversity on campus?

Are there students from other countries?

CAREER OPTIONS:

Are internships available? How do you find them?

Is Career Services helpful?

Can you get a mentor?

What is life like around the campus?

What are the other housing options?

These questions might give you some idea, of what to ask. You could be specific about a particular class or maybe a sport? Or the food options. You could also ask about the safety aspects in and around the campus.

Hope this helps, and all the best (:

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How to Make the Most of a Virtual College Tour

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Updated on July 18th, 2022

Many colleges aren’t fully open to the public due to COVID-19. However, even when they are welcoming visitors, not all students can afford to explore every school worth considering. For students trying to decide which schools to apply to, this creates a challenge. Luckily, it’s one that can be solved thanks to a technology-based alternative: the virtual college tour.

Virtual college tours allow prospective students to explore a campus without having to leave home. It’s affordable, accessible, and makes social distancing a breeze to manage.

However, students who want to get everything they can from online college tours need to use the right approach. If your student is going the virtual college tour route, here are some dos and don’ts for making the most of the experience.

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  • 1 Do Talk to the College to Learn About Official Tours
  • 2 Don’t Go Overboard with Virtual College Tours
  • 3 Do Learn About the Formats of the Virtual College Tours
  • 4 Do Have Questions Ready Before College Online Tours
  • 5 Don’t Forget to Hit the Record Button
  • 6 Do Create a Distraction-Free Zone for Virtual College Tours

Do Talk to the College to Learn About Official Tours

If your student searches online for virtual campus tours, they may get a surprising number of results. Thanks to social media, nearly anyone can create video tours of just about any location.

In some ways, this can be a boon. Your student may be able to learn information that wouldn’t be included on a traditional tour. However, there could also be issues with accuracy or bias, both of which can be concerning.

While it isn’t that your student shouldn’t potentially explore every resource available, it’s wise they make sure they can access an official online college tour if one is available. That way, they can have an experience that may mimic the in-person visit the school usually offers.

Many schools are incredibly open about their official virtual college tour options. They may be listed in the Prospective Students section of the school’s website, for one, making them readily accessible.

Often, admissions departments will share links if a student requests information, giving your student another potential path to learning about online tours. It’s also wise to check the college’s social media pages, as they can be great resources for finding video content.

Students who want to get the most from their virtual college tour need to use the right approach. Here are some dos and don’ts that can help.

Don’t Go Overboard with Virtual College Tours

With online college tours, your student doesn’t have to do any traveling to check out the campus. In fact, they can access them all from anywhere with an internet connection.

Plus, many schools have late deadlines . Your student may have more options available than they initially thought, leading them to keep more schools on the table or add new ones to the list.

As a result, your student might be tempted to double or triple the number of schools they want to explore. Similarly, they may try to schedule several virtual college tours in a single day. While this might seem like a good idea, it actually isn’t.

If your student participates in too many college online tours, they may end up overwhelmed by choice. Another potential problem is, the experiences may blur together, making it hard to sort out the details about why one school might be better than another.

Ideally, your student should treat scheduling their college campus virtual tours like they would in-person ones. Spread out the appointments, limit themselves to no more than one in a day, and give themselves the time they need to reflect on the experience. That way, they can process what they’ve learned, increasing the odds that they’ll be able to make a decision.

virtual college tours

Do Learn About the Formats of the Virtual College Tours

College campus virtual tours come in a few formats. They may be video-based or interactive, image-based, for one. For another, they may be entirely pre-recorded or could feature live components.

It’s important to understand which option your student will be using for a specific school. That way, they know what to expect and can properly prepare for the event.

Pre-recorded interactive virtual campus walkthroughs and college video tours are incredibly accessible. Usually, these are offered 24/7 through the school’s website, on YouTube, or through platforms like CampusTours or YouVisit . The benefit of these approaches is your student might not have to make an appointment to check out a college. Instead, they just access the virtual tour whenever it’s convenient.

On the other end of the spectrum, some colleges do offer guided virtual tours. While these may rely on pre-recorded images or videos, your student may be able to learn about and discuss the campus with a live guide. If any of your student’s top choice schools are going this route, an appointment is necessary.

virtual tours of colleges

Do Have Questions Ready Before College Online Tours

Whether your student is using a video, interactive, or live guided tour format, they should spend some time reviewing essential questions to ask on a college visit and writing down any they would ask if they were touring in person. Why? Because they’ll come in handy.

First, live tour guides will talk with students just like they would for a real-world tour. Second, some interactive video or image platforms allow students to ask questions. With the latter, the questions may get submitted to school officials, or the platform may connect to a knowledge base, providing your student with an immediate answer.

However, even if neither of those occurs, having questions ready is still a smart move. As the virtual tours of colleges progress, your student can listen for answers to those questions. If they hear one, they can jot it down as a note, ensuring they can remember what they learned in the future.

Then, if there’s still more they need to find out, they know which questions to research further. They can either send their inquiries to college officials, explore the website for answers, reach out to past students for insights, or use any other approach that makes sense.

Don’t Forget to Hit the Record Button

If your student is taking an online college tour with a live guide, then it’s a great idea to record the experience. By recording the tour, your student can review the video if they need a refresher. This can be beneficial if your student is scheduling campus tours over several weeks, as it may be harder to recall previous visits once they’ve participated in a few.

Nearly all computers can do some level of screen recording. Many newer smartphones and tablets can as well, as long as there’s enough memory available to hold the video.

college online tours

Do Create a Distraction-Free Zone for Virtual College Tours

Since college campus virtual tours require using a device, and students often participate from home, they may encounter more distractions than they would during an in-person tour. Smartphone or computer notifications may pop up, interrupting the experience. Similarly, a family member may come in to peak over their shoulder or to ask them to handle a chore, pulling their focus away from the tour.

Ideally, your student needs to create a distraction-free zone before starting any online college tours, including pre-recorded videos or self-paced interactive walkthroughs. Silencing smartphones, turning off computer notifications, and letting family members know that they need to remain undisturbed until the tour is over are all good places to start. That way, they can focus on the experience, ensuring they don’t miss anything important.

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How to Livestream Virtual College Tours

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Not to show my age or anything, but when I was in high school, the only way to actually tour a college campus was to take a road trip and visit in person. While it was nice to get the on-campus experience during a visit, it was always difficult to find a time that worked for my schedule — not to mention the cost of travel expenses for a teenager with a part-time job. (Minimum wage was $5.85 when I started working. 🙃 )

Luckily for today’s high school students, technology has advanced to the point where livestreamed virtual college tours are now an option — which has been especially important during the pandemic. 

Types of livestreaming virtual college tours

Before we get too far in, let me clarify the difference between a virtual college tour and a livestreaming virtual college tour. 

Virtual college tours: Self-guided, 360 ° video tours of campus. (If you’ve ever used Google Street View, the experience is very similar.)

Livestreaming virtual college tours: Live video campus tours led by a guide — usually a faculty member or an upperclassman student.

For this blog post, we’re going to focus on livestreaming virtual college tours. Let’s start with a few different types of tours colleges and universities can livestream.

Individual/family tours

Virtual individual and family tours give prospective students and their families a more personalized experience. They allow students and parents to ask specific questions and get answers that can ultimately influence their college decision. 

For example, someone interested in theater might have specific questions about the performing arts program, or a student with strict dietary needs might have questions about the cafeteria menu.

Customizing online individual and family tours to the interests and needs of the student and their family helps ensure that they get the best experience possible.

Group tours 

Virtual group tours give incoming students the ability to interact with one another, and potentially make new friends before ever stepping foot onto campus. Touring in groups also gives students the chance to hear their peers ask questions they might not have previously considered.

Group tours can be used to provide a general overview of the campus, facilities, and community. They can also be turned into weekly, biweekly, or monthly series that highlight different areas of campus like dorm rooms, recreational centers, on-campus dining options, fraternities and sororities, and so on.

Virtual open houses

Open houses are half-day or full-day events that usually take place on either Saturday or Sunday. They can be open to anyone or more targeted, like an open house for high school juniors and seniors only, or a transfer student open house.

Most virtual open houses will have a set agenda, so prospective students will know what to expect, and faculty members can come prepared. A livestreaming virtual open house can feature academic breakout sessions, Q&A sessions, upperclassmen testimonials, faculty meet and greets, and more.

Advantages of livestreaming virtual college tours

Online college tours for students can provide benefits not just for prospective students, but for the schools hosting them as well. Live virtual tours offer certain advantages that traditional on-campus tours don’t.

Be accomodating 

There’s definitely something special about walking onto a campus and experiencing it in person, but that’s not always a realistic option for all students  — especially during a pandemic. Online college tours let students explore your campus from the comfort and convenience of their own homes.

Another convenient aspect of online tours is scheduling. Between school, jobs, extracurricular activities, and social lives, students’ schedules can be jam-packed. Online college tours are less of a time commitment than in-person tours, and students can always watch a previous stream of an online college tour if they weren’t able to join in live.

Answer questions

Livestreams are a great way to host live Q&A sessions. You can open up for questions during or after the tour, and students and even parents can ask their questions in the comments section of the social media platform that you’re livestreaming to. You can have guests like admission counselors, professors, coaches, current students, alumni, and more join your livestreams to help answer any relevant questions.

For students who are shy or don’t like asking questions out loud, they might find it easier to type their questions in the comments section of a livestream, rather than having to ask out loud during an in-person tour. 

Plus, schools can pay attention to frequently asked questions in the comments section and make sure they prepare answers for those questions in future livestreaming tours.

Expand reach, engagement, and enrollment

A major downside of only offering in-person tours is the limited number of people you can take on a tour. There’s often a maximum number of people who are allowed to sign up per tour, which can create scheduling conflicts for those who weren’t able to sign up for their desired time or date.

With online college tours, you can increase your reach by allowing an unlimited number of people to take the tour. If desired, you can always limit the number of people on a virtual tour as well by streaming to a private group or setting up a private embedded livestream on your website.

Livestreaming your online college tours on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube can also benefit you by generating a ton of comments, shares, likes, and more from students, parents, and alumni — giving your social media livestream posts a nice engagement boost. Ultimately, livestreaming tours can help increase enrollment by highlighting your school’s offerings and creating real-time engagement.

Help students save time and money

Like I mentioned in the introduction, I was once a broke and busy high school student. Teenagers live busy lives, and money isn’t always readily available for someone working part-time or not at all.

Livestreaming tours let students explore campus directly from their smartphones, laptops, or tablets without having to spend time and money traveling to various schools. Your prospective students and their bank accounts will thank you for offering a free virtual tour.

Remain safe and socially distanced 

There’s no denying that the pandemic has impacted every single industry — and higher education is no different. Depending on the state your school is located in, colleges and universities are all adhering to different rules and regulations regarding social distancing and in-person gatherings.

Live online college tours are a safe and socially distanced solution. They give students, parents, and faculty the ability to interact virtually, so there’s no need to worry about risking the spread of the virus. 

Online college tour livestreaming equipment

One of the most important aspects of providing an exceptional virtual college tour experience is having the right equipment. Using the proper gear will give you better control, audio quality, connection, and so on.

Check out some of our favorite livestreaming equipment for college tours below.

Cases and gimbals

Livestreaming while on the move can be challenging, and the last thing you want your viewers to see is a shaky livestream. If you’re streaming from an iPhone or iPad, we recommend looking into iOgrapher cases to help steady the shot and reduce shakiness. 

If you’ll only be using an iPhone to livestream, the DJI Osmo Mobile Gimbal is a magnetic stabilizer that’s designed to reduce the shakiness of your iPhone while recording. The iOgrapher cases and DJI Osmo Gimbals are both lightweight and portable, so you don’t have to worry about lugging around heavy equipment while walking around campus.

External microphones

College campuses can be noisy, and you never know when Mother Nature will bring a little wind or rain. Investing in a good microphone will ensure that you’re providing top-notch audio quality to your viewers.

One of our favorite mics is the Rode VideoMic GO . It’s super lightweight and portable, provides great audio quality indoors and outdoors, and it comes with a windshield that reduces any unwanted noise from the wind.

Wi-Fi router

It’s inevitable that you’ll be outside from time to time during your livestreaming tour of campus — which can make it difficult to keep a strong Wi-Fi connection throughout the entirety of your tour.

To help keep your internet connection strong no matter where you’re at on campus, we recommend using the Nighthawk M1 Hotspot . It has great portability and will ensure that your internet speed is ultra fast.

Portable batteries

If you’re anticipating livestreaming a long tour, or an all-day event like an open house, it would be wise to consider portable batteries to keep your devices charged.

We recommend the Anker Powercore charger , which features high-speed charging and dual USB ports to simultaneously keep your iPhone, iPad, or other USB devices charged. It also comes with a mesh carrying bag, which can easily attach to a case, gimbal, backpack, etc.

Is a drone a necessity? Not necessarily — but it does allow you to capture some really cool views of your campus. Drones can give students an aerial view of campus housing, academic buildings, athletic fields and stadiums, recreational facilities, or even the beautiful scenery that surrounds your campus.

Any of  the DJI Mavic drones would be great choices. DJI offers a few different models depending on your budget, but we like the DJI Mavic Min i for its high performance and affordable price.

Why Switcher?

Now that you know about some of the awesome equipment that can help improve the quality of your livestreams, let’s talk about another way you can improve your live videos.

Using a livestreaming app like Switcher Studio can set your livestreaming college tours apart from other schools. 

  • Maximize mobility. The Switcher Studio app can be downloaded to any iPhone or iPad, allowing you to wirelessly livestream from anywhere.
  • Overlay Facebook comments onto your streams. Want to engage with prospective students during the tour? Switcher lets you overlay Facebook comments directly onto your livestreams — sparking real-time engagement.
  • No expensive cameras or crews — just iOS devices. Cameras can be expensive, and so can hiring a professional production crew. Switcher Studio is easy to use and lets you use the iPhones and iPads you already have.
  • Sync up to 9 iOS devices. Show off the beauty of your entire campus by syncing up to 9 iOS cameras. Position iOS devices at different areas of campus, and easily switch to show the view from your desired camera.
  • Add logos, text, prerecorded video, and more. Switcher lets you add school logos, faculty names and titles, testimonial video clips, graphics, and CTAs directly to your livestreams.
  • Save and repurpose your livestreams. Record your livestreams in HD and embed them onto your site, or pull clips to use in your marketing materials.

Livestreaming online college tours can be a win-win for both students and higher education institutions, especially with the pandemic still in effect. Prospective students can stay socially distanced, save time and money, and enjoy a tour of campus from the comfort of their couch. Colleges and universities can grow their audience and boost engagement — which can help increase enrollment. 

Campus tours aren’t the only thing schools can livestream either. Events, fundraisers, sports, guest speakers, club activities, intramural sports, meetings, and more are all great livestreaming opportunities.

If you’re interested, try Switcher Studio free for 14 days , and see how livestreaming can help your school reach a larger audience and increase enrollment.

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About the Author

virtual college tour questions

As Switcher's associate product manager, Jared aims to educate and entertain readers on all things live video. He's spent his career in digital content strategy, helping brands to better connect with their audiences.

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10 Questions to Ask on a College Tour

10 Questions to Ask on a College Tour

Spring is drawing near, and we all know what that means, right? Jean jackets! Frozen drinks! OTT prom proposals! But most importantly (if you’re applying to college , anyway), springtime means gearing up for college campus tours.

As you’re probably aware, many schools are having virtual college tours in lieu of in-person tours this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sure, it’s kind of a bummer to not get to see the school in person, but look on the bright side: You can now tour a bunch of schools without worrying about the cost of travel and additional expenses. And you get to do it all from the comfort of your own home!

Whether you’re going on an in-person college tour or participating in a virtual college fair , asking the right questions is key to getting all the juicy details about the school. Not sure what to ask your tour guide? Below, here are 10 questions to ask on a college tour that will help you get the most out of your visit.

1. Why did you choose this school?

This is a good opening question for your tour guide because it gets them thinking back to what initially drew them to the school. Follow-up questions could include, “How happy have you been at this school so far?” and “What, if anything, would you change about the school?”

2. Who would you NOT recommend this school for?

Keep in mind that most college tour guides are in love with their school and don’t have a bad word to say about it. For this reason, you should (politely) challenge their opinions about the school by asking them who might not be the best fit for this particular school. If you happen to match their description of someone who isn’t a good fit, well — at least you found out sooner rather than later, right?

3. What majors/programs are popular?

Whether you’re still undecided on a major or you want to know what programs the school is best known for, this is a good question to ask regardless. Already picked a major? Ask them to spill the tea on the reputation of your department/program.

Already picked a major

4. What types of scholarship opportunities are available? 

You plan to apply for scholarships anyway, right? You might as well get the inside scoop on what kinds of scholarships and grants they have available on campus. Dig a little deeper by asking what the average financial aid package is and whether there are work-study opportunities available.

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5. How often are career fairs/campus recruiting events held?

Career fairs are common at most universities and colleges — as they should be. Both in-person and virtual career fairs can help you launch your career after college, so make sure these opportunities are abundant on campus. While you’re on the subject, ask about internship opportunities.

6. How accessible are the professors/administrators/financial aid officers, etc.?

These people can make or break your college success, so it’s important that they’re easily accessible and willing to do what they can to help!

7. What do students do for fun on campus? What about life off-campus?

Find out everything you can about campus life. After all, this is going to be your home for at least the next four years of your life. What is the social scene like? What do students do when they’re not studying? And, of course, the ultimate question every student must ask: How’s the food ?  

Questions to ask

8. How diverse is the student body?

This is an important question to ask, especially if you can’t visit the campus in-person to see for yourself just how diverse the campus is. Not only is it vital that minority groups have representation on campus, but diversity on campus also benefits non-minority groups by exposing them to different backgrounds and perspectives. If you’re a minority, don’t forget to ask about support services and programs that support students like yourself.

9. What is the average class size for lower- and upper-division courses?

There is an ongoing debate regarding class size —specifically, whether smaller classes are actually better for learning outcomes. But the truth is, it may just come down to personal preference. At the very least, this question will give you a better idea of what to expect when you sign up for classes. 

10. What kinds of academic support programs does the school have?

You want to choose a college that will help set you up for success. If you’re struggling in school, what resources will be available to help you? Be sure to ask about tutoring programs, computer labs, writing centers, and other programs that might support your undergraduate experience. 

Asking the Important Questions

There are plenty of great questions to ask on a college tour that aren’t on this list, but, hopefully, this gave you a decent starting point. Just remember that you may have a limited amount of time to chat up a tour guide or college representative. Tackle the important questions first before you start asking things like, “How strong is the merch game?” and “Is a Jamba Juice within walking distance of the dorms?”

Happy touring!

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26 Virtual College Tours

Explore your dream schools without leaving home

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Virtual college tours are an excellent alternative to in-person visits. Virtual tours allow you to explore college campuses at your own pace, typically with useful features like 360° views and student-narrated audio/video. In fact, you will often see and learn much more during a virtual tour than is possible through an in-person tour, given the size of many campuses and the time constraints of a visit to the admissions office.

For each school on our list, you'll find one or more virtual tours that take you around campus and into academic buildings, residence halls, and athletic facilities.

Boston College

Despite its name, Boston College is not located in Boston. The 175-acre main campus in Chestnut Hill sits a little over 6 miles from downtown. The attractive campus features collegiate Gothic architecture and sits on a hill overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.

Online: For 360° views of buildings, athletic and performance venues, and dining areas, check out the BC virtual tour at eCampusTours.com . For a more personal experience, CampusReel offers a range of videos shot by BC students as they tell you about their campus.

Boston University

Located on an urban campus in the Fenway neighborhood, Boston University is home to one of the largest residence halls in the country, as well as beautiful green spaces along the Charles River. From contemporary towers to historic brownstones, the university's architecture is truly diverse.

Online: Boston University has an excellent collection of over 40 videos narrated by students that provide a window into academic life, residential life, and campus life.

Brown University

As one of the prestigious Ivy League schools , admission to Brown University is extremely selective. The campus in Providence, Rhode Island, features attractive red brick buildings and a hilltop location. The highly ranked Rhode Island School of Art and Design adjoins the campus.

Online: On the admissions website, you'll find an excellent 360° tour of Brown created in collaboration with YouVisit. Brown students guide you around campus and narrate different aspects of the university experience.

Columbia University

As a member of the Ivy League located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, Columbia University can be an excellent choice for strong students looking for an urban college experience. Barnard College sits adjacent to the Columbia campus.

Online : The university partnered with YouVisit to create a virtual walking tour of the campus narrated by Columbia students. You'll learn about 19 locations on campus and see dozens of high quality photos. For a less professionally produced view of campus, check out the many student-created videos on CampusReel .

Cornell University

Another Ivy League school, Cornell University has an enviable location in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York. The large hillside campus sits in the middle of wine country overlooking Lake Cayuga. In addition, Ithaca frequently ranks among the best college towns in the nation.

Online: The university has a professionally made video, Cornell University: Glorious to View , that features scenes from around campus and soundbites from faculty and students. You can also check out Cornell's interactive map with photos and information on dozens of locations around campus. Finally, take a look on CampusReel for some amateur videos by Cornell students .

Dartmouth College

Another highly selective member of the Ivy League, Dartmouth College is located in the quintessential college town of Hanover, New Hampshire. The iconic bell tower of Baker Library soars above the school's attractive buildings and open green spaces.

Online : The Dartmouth admissions website has links to some excellent resources including a 360-degree virtual tour with YouVisit and virtual tours of athletic facilities and the School of Engineering. Dartmouth graduates wrote the script for this informative 36-minute video tour of Dartmouth. For a less scripted perspective of a current student, check out Paula Joline's video .

Duke University

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University 's sprawling campus includes a forest and a medical center. The school is well known for its stone Collegiate Gothic architecture. The iconic Duke Chapel towers over 200 feet above West Campus.

Online: Narrated virtual tours at YouVisit offer excellent 360° image quality and information on Duke's main campus, Duke Marine Lab, and Duke's Kunshan campus. For another virtual tour, students in the ISIS Research Capstone course created a Duke Google Earth project with views and information on some of students' favorite campus locations.

Harvard University

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As one of the world's most prestigious and selective universities, Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has probably been filmed and photographed more than any other school in the United States. The university has roots going back well before the U.S. was a country, and it is also a major research hub with over 20,000 graduate students. The result is a campus with an interesting mix of historic and state-of-the-art facilities.

Online: Like several schools on this list, Harvard partnered with YouVisit to create a high quality 360° narrated virtual tour that includes both indoor and outdoor views of campus features including residence halls, Widener Library, sports complexes, and academic buildings.

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology often tops the rankings of engineering schools in both the United States and the world. The school's 168-acre campus stretches along the Charles River in Cambridge, and you'll find a variety architecture from the neoclassical central buildings to the Frank Gehry designed Stata Center.

Online : Check out the campus sites in this narrated Campus Crawl video or MIT's own video, Hangin' Out at MIT with Cathy and Tara , a tour that will give you a 21 minute student-guided look around the institute. You'll also find a large library of information and videos related to different campus locations in the MIT Virtual Tour .

New York University

City lovers will be drawn to NYU 's location in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, adjacent to Washington Square Park. The campus is truly urban, so don't expect to find the green spaces and quadrangles that are typical of most campuses on this list. The school leverages its location to create impressive opportunities for students in fields ranging from business to the performing arts.

Online: NYU has created a 9-minute video that shows off the NYU campus and its New York City location. On the school's admissions website , you'll find additional virtual tours of the NYU Abu Dhabi and Shanghai campuses, as well as an online information session. For a less promotional glimpse of campus, check out this remarkable student-made video tour of NYU .

Northwestern University

With a single-digit acceptance rate, Northwestern University is among the most selective universities in the country. The 240-acre main campus in Evanston, Illinois, hugs the shore of Lake Michigan and is home to about 150 buildings. The university also has a 25-acre campus in downtown Chicago, roughly 12 miles away.

Online : Northwestern teamed up with YouVisit to create a narrated tour with dozens of high quality photo with detailed information on 22 campus locations. For something a little less formal, check out student James Jia's video tour of campus .

With over 46,000 students, Penn State 's main campus is a small city unto itself. Indeed, the campus has its own postal address—University Park, Pennsylvania—where the university is the major employer and economic driver in its rural location in the center of the state. With 18 colleges, 275 undergraduate degree programs, and over 1,000 clubs and organizations, there is clearly a lot to see and do on campus.

Online: For an excellent introduction to the university, check out Penn State's 360° virtual tour of dozens of campus locations, including the iconic Old Main building and Beaver Stadium, with its seating capacity of over 100,000.

Princeton University

Founded in 1746, Princeton University has a rich past that is reflected in its historic 500-acre campus in Princeton, New Jersey. The oldest existing building, Nassau Hall, was completed in 1756, and many more recent buildings feature Collegiate Gothic architecture. The campus frequently finds a place in rankings of the nation's most beautiful campuses .

Online : Powered by YouVisit, the Princeton University virtual tour features high quality 360-degree views of 25 campus locations narrated by Princeton students. Also be sure to check out this series of YouTube videos to introduce you to various campus features. For a more personal touch, student Nicolas Chae created a 9-minute video to show you around campus.

Stanford University

The most prestigious and selective university on the West Coast, Stanford is easily recognizable, with the mission-style architecture of the Main Quad and Hoover Tower soaring 285 feet over the school. Its campus occupies over 8,000 acres in the Bay Area, about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

Online: You'll find a range of virtual tours on the Stanford visitor's webpage. You'll be able to explore the main campus, residential facilities, and campus gardens.

Temple University

Temple University' s main campus sits about one and a half miles north of Center City, Philadelphia. As the university has grown in both size and prestige, it has expanded its facilities to include the 27-floor Morgan Residence Hall and Dining Complex, which opened in 2013 .

Online: For a professionally produced 360° tour of Temple with stellar image quality, the university partnered with YouVisit to bring the campus to your computer. If you prefer amateur student-created videos , you'll find plenty of short clips at CampusReel.

UC Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley often tops lists of the nation's best public universities. Along with the main undergraduate campus, the school features an 800-acre ecological preserve, a botanical garden, and numerous research facilities. Towering over the campus is the 307-foot Campanile, a building that offers stunning views of campus and the Bay Area.

Online : UC Berkeley is planning to release a new virtual tour in the fall of 2020. Until then, you can check out some of the sites with this 14-minute student-guided video tour as well as a library of short videos on CampusReel .

UCLA 's 419-acre campus sits northwest of downtown, just a few miles away from the Pacific Ocean and Hollywood. Students can enjoy the advantages of proximity to a major city while living on a spacious and attractive campus defined by its Romanesque Revival architecture.

Online: For a visual experience with no narration, you'll find a 40-minute virtual walking tour of UCLA on YouTube. Also be sure to check out dozens of student-created UCLA videos on CampusReel, as well as a professionally-produced 360° tour created in collaboration with YouVisit.

Students who love sand and sun (as well as a good education) will be drawn to the University of California Santa Barbara , one of the few universities in the country with its own beach. The main campus has a cliff-top location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The East Campus is home to most of the school's academic facilities, while the West Campus is home to residential life and athletics.

Online: If you're interested in seeing where you'll be living at UCSB, the university has extensive 360° virtual tours of residence halls, apartments, and dining areas. For a virtual walk around the attractive campus and many of the academic and athletic facilities, check out the YouVisit virtual tour , where you'll find plenty of high resolution photographs.

RightCowLeftCoast / Wikimedia Commons /   CC BY-SA 4.0

UC San Diego frequently ranks among the best public universities in the country, and its location, with La Jolla, Black's Beach, and Torrey Pines State Reserve just minutes away, is an added bonus. While surrounded by beauty, the campus itself was named by Travel & Leisure as one of the ugliest in the country because of its mishmash of architectural styles. That said, many would disagree with that assessment, and the iconic Geisel Library pictured here is certainly a one-of-a-kind campus building.

Online: UCSD created virtual tour brochures for each of its six undergraduate colleges. You'll also want to check out the YouVisit virtual tour , with its excellent picture quality and informative narration of numerous campus features.

University of Michigan

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The University of Michigan , another of the nation's top public universities, occupies an attractive campus in Ann Arbor. With over 500 buildings sitting on 860 acres, the university has a daunting number of tour destinations. The South Campus is dominated by athletic facilities, and the Central and North campuses are home to most academic and residential buildings. The university's top-ranked medical school has its own campus.

Online: Learn more about the campus and see the sights with these photo galleries on the U-M admissions website; you'll find a gallery featuring the campus and another focused on student life. You can also check out a 14-minute video on YouTube with 4K outdoor shots of many of the campus' main buildings.

University of Pennsylvania

Located in West Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania has a rich history dating back to its founding by Benjamin Franklin. This prestigious Ivy League school is home to the top-ranked Wharton School of Business. While much of the campus is historic and constructed in the Collegiate Gothic style, contemporary expansion continues, especially after the university acquired acreage along the Schuylkill River front.

Online: You can choose your virtual Penn experience. For an amateur and down-to-earth look at Penn, check out the dozens of student videos on CampusReel. For high quality images and narration, explore the campus through YouVisit's 360° virtual tour .

University of Southern California

Situated in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, the University of Southern California has grown increasingly selective in recent years. The attractive 229-acre main campus has a number of red brick buildings in the Romanesque Revival style. A few miles from the main campus, the university's Health Sciences campus is home to one of the top hospitals and medical schools in the state.

Online: To see the campus and learn more about USC, CampusReel has nearly 100 videos shot by students as they show off their school. Also be sure to check out the USC photo gallery on Flickr where you'll find 59 high resolution images.

University of Virginia

A top-ranked public institution, the University of Virginia has a rich history dating back to its establishment by Thomas Jefferson in the early 19th century. The university campus features stunning Jeffersonian architecture, including the arched walkways and pillared rotunda that surround the Lawn, the campus' central green space.

Online: Explore the campus through YouVisit's high quality, interactive, narrated 360° tour of UVA . Student tour guides will tell you about many of the campus features as you look around 19 campus locations.

Vanderbilt University

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A prestigious private university in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University frequently ranks among the most beautiful colleges in the country. The 330-acre campus is a designated national arboretum. Despite being just a couple of miles from the city, the campus is filled with trees and green spaces. Campus buildings are designed in a variety of architectural styles.

Online: You can virtually walk around campus and learn about 20 different locations through Vanderbilt's online tour . Sights include libraries, sporting facilities, academic buildings, and even Greek Row. If you want to take the experience a step farther, explore the campus in 360-degree virtual reality with your VR headset or YouTube app on your smartphone.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech 's expansive 2,600-acre campus features numerous buildings constructed with the school's defining "Hokie Stone"—a gray rock mined near the university's home in Blacksburg. As one of the nation's six senior military colleges, the institute is designed around the Drillfield, a large grass field where the Corps of Cadets conduct military drills.

Online: Virginia Tech offers an extensive campus photo tour with information about academic, residential, and student life facilities. You'll find even more photos and Virginia Tech information on the campus highlights page . For the student perspective on the university, you can find a wide range of short videos on CampusReel.

Yale University

Yale 's historic campus in New Haven, Connecticut, expands over 800 acres and features numerous ornate Gothic Revival buildings. You'll also find a few unique architectural gems, such as the windowless Beinecke Rare Book Library with its translucent marble and granite exterior panels. Yale's residential system is modeled after those at Oxford and Cambridge, and all students reside in one of 14 residential colleges.

Online: You can get a strong impression of Yale from the numerous virtual tours the university created in collaboration with YouVisit. Options include the Yale Campus Tour, Yale Science Tour, Yale Engineering Tour, Yale Athletics Tour, and Yale Residential College Tour. Each features high resolution photography. For more scenes of campus and the surrounding New Haven shops, check out the half-hour YouTube video created by Wind Walk Travel Videos.

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Which Colleges Offer the Best Virtual Campus Visits?

Joy Bullen

Spring is on the way; the season when flowers bloom, the days get longer and warmer, and high school juniors and seniors traditionally flock to visit college campuses as they decide where to apply or attend. But for the last two years, the pandemic has caused colleges and universities to eliminate or scale back on-campus visits and move towards virtual visits for prospective students. This means some students won't get to see their first choice schools in person before applying or accepting. It also means fewer families will spend their spring breaks shuffling behind undergrads who seems preternaturally good at walking backwards, as they peek into dining halls and listen to stories about the history and traditions of yet another school.

The good news (in case that wasn't it for you) — colleges have now had a full year to build out their virtual visit resources, and many have come up with some pretty amazing offerings. We've highlighted the best virtual visit in each region of the country and why we loved it, so you can start planning your virtual college tour this spring.

Best Virtual Campus Visit on the East Coast: Williams College in Williamstown, MA

Which Colleges Offer the Best Virtual Campus Visits? - 0

Students outside of a red brick building on the Williams' College campus

Williams College has been ranked one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation for decades, so it's not surprising that their virtual tour also ranks among the best. In an efficient nine minutes, their recorded campus tour hits on many of things students and their families really want to see, including a look inside the dorms and the food served in the dining hall, as well as the art gallery, dance studio, athletic facility, and the stunning library, which includes a 3-D printing room and recording studio. If you like what you see, you can sign up for a group chat with a real student or attend a virtual information session focused on topics like how to afford college, sustainability on campus, or resources for first generation students. If the times offered don't work for you, watch one of the many prerecorded videos with tips for parents and students on applying to Williams. And, if you want to see firsthand what academics are like at one of the nation's top liberal arts schools, you can watch a recording of a Williams class like Music in Film , or Why the Impacts of Climate Change are So Unfair .

Best Virtual Campus Tour in the South: Tulane University in New Orleans, LA

Which Colleges Offer the Best Virtual Campus Visits? - 1

Stanley Thomas Hall at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA

Tulane 's 25-minute recorded campus tour features two real students and feels a lot like an actual campus walking tour, but with peppy music and faster walking. The tour not only highlights campus buildings and student life, but speaks to the traditions that make the school special, like Friday "Donuts with the Dean" on the porch of Cudd Hall, where students can grab free donuts and coffee and chat with a dean. They also how the famous Mardi Gras tree, where admitted students throw beaded necklaces into the branches, and if they stick, it's supposed to be good luck for your four years.

Tulane also offers a host of other virTUal resources , including an interactive campus map , opportunities to book live virtual tours, and webinars on many topics, including pre-recorded sessions relevant to people applying to other schools too, like tips for parents of prospective college students and tips and tricks for applying to selective colleges.

Best Virtual Campus Visit in the Midwest: University of Wisconsin - Madison in Madison, WI

Which Colleges Offer the Best Virtual Campus Visits? - 2

Quad in front of Memorial Union on University of Wisconsin - Madison campus in Madison, WI

The University of Wisconsin - Madison's interactive map is one of the best we saw. It features a panoramic photo of the school's campus, which is flanked by water on both sides, and offers many clickable pinpoints to learn more about key spots on campus. Each pinpoint brings up a video of a real student talking about the campus spot and its history (for those history buffs missing the lesson) or a slideshow featuring photos taken at different times, so you can get a feel for what it's like to be there. They also offer an array of live and prerecorded virtual events , including information sessions for each school, and resources on topics prospective students typically want to know about, like the study abroad opportunities offered, and sessions on "Tuition and how to pay for it" and "How to submit a strong college application."

But what really sets apart the UW - Madison virtual visit is how easy it is for prospective students to connect with current students. UW - Madison offers special instagram live "Ask Me Anything" sessions with real UW students and staff tailored to specific student groups, like first generation students or transfer students. And it was the only school we saw where prospective students can schedule a 15 minute one-on-one phone call with an actual campus tour guide to ask your specific college questions in a private space.

​Best Virtual Campus Visit on the West Coast: Pepperdine University's Seaver College in Malibu, CA

Which Colleges Offer the Best Virtual Campus Visits? - 3

A view from the Santa Monica mountains of Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University's virtual visit page opens with a sweeping bird's-eye view of the campus that may make you a little sorry you weren't able to visit Seaver College's Malibu campus in person. From up above, it's easy to see how close campus is to the Pacific Ocean. This not-terrible view is visible from the main part of campus, and can be glimpsed in the self-guided 365 virtual tour or one of the quick campus highlight videos . The virtual tour also highlights the school's signature cream-colored buildings with terracotta roofs, the impressive Eddy D. Field Baseball Stadium, and the outdoor pool, which shines like a cyan jewel in the center of campus.

Pepperdine also offers a virtual application workshop for prospective students on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the option to sign-up for a live student-led virtual tour .

But our favorite part and the thing that really sets Pepperdine apart as one the very best virtual college visits is the impressive docuseries Rising Tide . Grab some popcorn and watch all four seasons as it follows five real Pepperine students through their four years at the school.

Explore more schools' virtual offerings

The four schools mentioned above stood out, but many schools throughout the country are offering in-depth and creative online resources for prospective students who won't be able to visit campus in person. One upside of online visits is that, with no travel time or hotel costs to factor in, you can virtually-visit more schools, and you may even find that some new colleges rise to the top of your list. Be sure to visit the websites of any schools you're even a little interested in to see what the virtual events and tools are being offered this spring, and sign up now for the sessions you want to attend.

Joy Bullen is College Confidential's Senior Editor and Head of Content. She is a graduate of Kenyon College , where she majored in English and Creative Writing. She also earned a master’s in Psychology from The New School for Social Research in NYC.

Before becoming a full-time writer and editor, Joy coached thousands of prospective and enrolled college students on admissions and academic and career success. She also managed a team of academic and career coaches and consulted with universities on how to create programs that have better outcomes for students.

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How To Plan Successful College Visits To Ivy League Schools

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Columbia University campus

With spring break on the horizon, many students and parents are beginning to plan their college visits. College visits offer prospective students the critical opportunity to explore campuses, interact with current students and faculty, and gain firsthand insights into the college experience. While students can glean plenty of important information from an institution’s website, visiting campus in person is the best way for students to get a sense of how they will fit into a campus community. However, planning successful college visits requires careful preparation and consideration.

From scheduling appointments to maximizing your time on campus, here’s what you need to know to make the most out of college visits:

1. Strategically select the schools you’ll visit.

Visiting college campuses is not only time consuming, but can quickly become expensive. Therefore, students and parents should think critically about which schools they want to prioritize. First and foremost, students should strive to visit different types of campuses—urban and rural, large and small, liberal arts and research institutions, etc. As students strive to create balanced college lists, they should identify a selection of reach and match schools that they would like to visit. High reaches—schools at which a student’s GPA or test scores fall below the 25th percentile of their average accepted applicants’ (or any school with an acceptance rate at or near single digits)—are not worth visiting in person, unless the student happens to be visiting another college in the area.

2. Be proactive in scheduling.

Once you've identified the colleges you’d like to visit, schedule campus tours or Q&A sessions on the schools’ websites, and coordinate faculty meetings or interviews with admissions officers, if applicable. Be sure to schedule appointments well in advance, especially during peak visitation times such as spring break and summer vacation. Once you are on campus, be sure to request contact information for the admissions officer you work most closely with during your visit. Doing so will allow you to follow up with further questions should they arise and thank them for their time and effort during your visit.

3. Prepare thoughtful questions.

Prepare a list of questions about topics such as academic programs, campus life, housing options, financial aid, and extracurricular activities to ask during your college visits. Identify questions that would be best answered by tour guides, faculty members, students, or admissions officers, and whose answers can not easily be found on the schools’ websites. These could include questions such as:

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  • How rigorous is the coursework?
  • How many hours a week do students devote to each class and how many classes do students take each quarter/semester, on average?
  • Are there unique opportunities available in the discipline I’m interested in pursuing that are not published on your website? If so, which ones should I be aware of?
  • How do most students here meet their friends? What do students do for fun?
  • How does the college help students find internships and network with professionals in their field of interest?

Arriving on campus with thoughtful questions will help you gather relevant information and make informed decisions about each college.

4. Take detailed “field notes.”

During your college visits, actively engage with tour guides, admissions counselors, faculty, and current students, and take detailed notes to document your impressions and insights about each school. Prior to your visit, you can prepare a notes sheet or journal to write down your thoughts about the school, as well as information you hope to follow up on. Your “ field notes ” should include information such as distinguishing qualities, names and contact information for faculty members and students you meet, and things you liked and disliked about the campus. Visiting multiple colleges in a short period of time can be overwhelming, and remembering specific details about your visits can easily become challenging. Keeping a clear and specific log of your impressions will help you compare and contrast schools on your list when you return home.

5. Virtually visit the schools you cannot see in person.

For those unable to visit certain schools in person, there are alternative methods to gain insight outside of a traditional in-person campus tour. Many prestigious institutions provide virtual tours on their websites, along with other online resources and events designed to answer questions and provide a comprehensive understanding of their school. For instance, Harvard offers a virtual tour and a virtual information session. Similarly, Columbia University 's virtual tour is complemented by student panels and a live Q&A session. Dartmouth College also facilitates live virtual tours , enabling individuals to explore the campus in real-time with a current student, regardless of their location. Additionally, platforms like CampusReel offer virtual tours of numerous college campuses, led by current students, providing an immersive experience from afar.

Planning successful college visits requires careful preparation, thoughtful consideration, and active engagement. By following these steps and approaching each visit with an open mind and a spirit of curiosity, you'll be well-equipped to make informed decisions about your college choices and find the institution that best fits your needs and aspirations.

Christopher Rim

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Deciding if a college or program is right for you is a big decision! Students and families exploring their college options are invited to learn more about Beacon through a variety of virtual event opportunities.

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What makes Beacon the best college for students who learn differently, and the #3 college in the southern region? Hear directly from current Beacon students, faculty and staff to find out!

The College Edge – Virtual Information Session MAR 27 @ 6 PM

Join us live to learn more about our innovative on-campus summer immersion program for current high school seniors and college transfer students.

Speak with an Admissions Representative

If none of these virtual opportunities are right for you, or if you would prefer to meet with us individually to discuss your situation, you can schedule a one-on-one video chat or call anytime.

Making AI Safer: Texas A&M Joins National Consortium

An illustration of a human hand reaching out to a robotic hand.

Texas A&M University will join more than 200 major corporations, academic institutions, nonprofit groups and federal agencies in a national effort to improve the safety and reliability of artificial intelligence (AI), the Division of Research announced today.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, through its National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), selected Texas A&M as an initial member of the new Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC). Members include tech giants Amazon, Apple, Adobe, Intel, Google, Meta and Microsoft, as well as OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT); research institutes such as The Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University; and the nonprofit Linux Foundation. 

AISIC chooses its members based on their ability to deliver the research and development required to harness the potential of AI, mitigate its most serious risks, protect the public and our planet, reduce market uncertainties and encourage innovations.

“In terms of tools and applications, artificial intelligence is expanding at an astonishing rate,” said Dr. Jack G. Baldauf, vice president for research at Texas A&M. “AI is likely to change every aspect of our society. The benefits are promising but the risks are daunting. Everything about AI calls for careful study and thorough research. We anticipate making significant contributions to this important body of work.”

Consortium members will develop policies, standards and best practices for the use of AI technologies in five areas: risk management for generative AI; the use and detection of synthetic content; benchmarks and testbeds for evaluating potentially harmful AI capabilities; guidelines for adversarial evaluation; and stress testing AI models that pose potential security risks.

Dr. Nick Duffield, director of the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science ( TAMIDS ) and holder of the Royce E. Wisenbaker Professorship I in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will lead the Texas A&M team, which includes researchers from the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Public Health, the School of Architecture, TAMIDS, the Global Cyber Research Institute, High-Performance Research Computing and the Center for Applied Technology. 

“Our researchers look forward to contributing to the development of best practices to support responsible adoption of AI and underpin confidence in innovative products and services enabled by exciting advances in AI,” Duffield said.

Media contact: Dr. Nick Duffield, [email protected]

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    So, here are the best ways to make the most of your virtual college tour. Virtual Tour - 360 degree view. Many universities have invested in robust virtual tour software in the wake of COVID. Some larger universities will be equipped with a self-paced 360 virtual tour software, while smaller universities may have a YouTube video walking you ...

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    118 Great Questions to Ask on a College Tour. Posted by Rebecca Safier. College Admissions. Touring your prospective colleges is a great opportunity to learn from the people who study, work, and teach on campus. By keeping your eyes and ears open, you can gain a strong sense of a school and its culture, far beyond the facts and figures on its ...

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    Since you can't take college tours in person, one of the best ways to get to know if a school you're considering is right for you is a virtual college tour. Not only are virtual campus tours a great way to see the campus and get a feel for the culture, but they're also a great way to meet someone from the school, usually an admissions ...

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    Group 2: These should be questions that directly relate to the university you are visiting/researching. They can be about a specific dorm hall or a popular study abroad program. Again, this question group can contain some inquiries that apply to more than one university but strive to make them as specific as possible.

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    According to IST Campus Tours, an independent student travel tour service, families with college-bound students can spend up to $3,500 just for a campus visit. With the cost of air travel, meals, and accommodations adding up, virtual tours are a good option for those who can't swing in-person visits.

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    Questions to Ask on a Virtual College Tour. When embarking on virtual college tours, it's crucial to keep some essential questions in mind and ask during the exploration process. These questions will help you gather valuable information and insights about each college, ensuring that you make an informed decision about your higher education ...

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    The University of California—Berkeley also offers 360-degree virtual tours for prospective students. Previously, the school was posting YouTube videos and virtual question-and-answer sessions ...

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    1. Be sure to ask the right questions. When you ask questions specific to what you care about as a prospective student, you'll develop a clearer picture of which schools are a good fit. Since many virtual tours don't have a live guide, you'll want to contact admissions counselors to fill in the blanks left from your virtual experience. To ...

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    Even before Covid-19, many schools created virtual tours as a way to engage international and out-of-state students. School to school, the virtual offerings vary widely - some colleges have entire real-time tours posted on Youtube and 360-degree virtual tours, while others have short videos paired with image galleries and written content.

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    Due to the rise in prominence of virtual campus tours, the website is currently developing a feature that enables visitors to ask questions while they are on the tour that directly go to college officials. eCampusTours: eCampusTours is not just a website for virtual college tours. Alongside 360 degree views of over 1300 campuses, this website ...

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    You can also get a taste of what you'll experience on campus through our virtual tour. And if you have questions you'd like to ask us now, please contact us anytime at [email protected] 570-577-3000. Stay up to date throughout your Bucknell journey. Join our contact list.

  13. What to Ask to Get the Most from Your Virtual Campus Visit

    And with the right questions, you can walk away with the answers you need to choose the right college for you. What to Ask During a Virtual Campus Tour. If you already developed a list of questions you hoped to ask at an in-person admissions event, you can ask all those same questions online. Admissions representatives, professors, and even ...

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    A Virtual college tour is a tour that you can watch from your phone or computer. The tour is generally an hour long, and will be led by a tour guide who will talk to you about the school and their experience there, as well as answer questions you or others may have.

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    YouVisit tours also include prerecorded student guides to walk you through the tour (as well as translations in English, Spanish, and Mandarin), and most tours offer space to ask questions of college administrators. CampusTours offers virtual tours of nearly 2,000 schools in the United States and around the world. Most tours include fine-tuned ...

  16. 60 Questions to Ask on Your College Tour

    The Staff of The Princeton Review. For more than 40 years, students and families have trusted The Princeton Review to help them get into their dream schools. We help students succeed in high school and beyond by giving them resources for better grades, better test scores, and stronger college applications. Follow us on Twitter: @ThePrincetonRev.

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    1 Do Talk to the College to Learn About Official Tours. 2 Don't Go Overboard with Virtual College Tours. 3 Do Learn About the Formats of the Virtual College Tours. 4 Do Have Questions Ready Before College Online Tours. 5 Don't Forget to Hit the Record Button. 6 Do Create a Distraction-Free Zone for Virtual College Tours.

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    Virtual college tours: Self-guided, 360 ° video tours of campus. (If you've ever used Google Street View, the experience is very similar.) Livestreaming virtual college tours: Live video campus tours led by a guide — usually a faculty member or an upperclassman student. For this blog post, we're going to focus on livestreaming virtual ...

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    1. Why did you choose this school? This is a good opening question for your tour guide because it gets them thinking back to what initially drew them to the school. Follow-up questions could include, "How happy have you been at this school so far?" and "What, if anything, would you change about the school?". 2.

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    After you tour our campus virtually, take the next step and join us for an online information session! In these hour-long sessions, an admission officer and a student will share information about Harvard College and answer the questions you submit through the chat. View our schedule of upcoming sessions and register today!

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  25. Virtual Events

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  26. Carolyn Caplan

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  27. Making AI Safer: Texas A&M Joins National Consortium

    Dr. Nick Duffield, director of the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science (TAMIDS) and holder of the Royce E. Wisenbaker Professorship I in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will lead the Texas A&M team, which includes researchers from the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Public Health ...